Key Points
- It is safest to assume that spiders can and will bite.
- Spider venoms contain many kinds of biologically active chemicals and proteins.
- Spider
Introduction
Most of the spiders offered here are not considered to be dangerous and were chosen, in part, because they are relatively safe to work with.. However, most of these spiders can and will bite and some of the their bites may be painful.
Appropriate handling procedures and safety precautions should be used.
Hazards
With the exception of uloborids, all of the spiders and scorpions have venom and can bite or sting. The bites may cause some local pain, inflammation or other symptoms but the the effects rarely last for more than a few minutes and rarely extend very far from the bite site.
Safety Considerations
- Are the spiders appropriate for the group?
- Are your cages safe?
- Can you feed and water your spiders without escapes.
- What are you going to do if one escapes?
- Who can handle them?
- How do you pick them up?
In case of bite
- Tell someone
- If possible, catch or kill the spider and save it for identification.
- Wash the wound with soap and water.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Apply a non-occlusive (breathing) bandage to protect the wound.
If pain is severe or if you get symptoms far from the bite site
- Call Poison Help Line 1-800-222-1-222
If the person collapses
- Call 911