The Black Widow's scientific name is the Latrodectus hesperus. Although most are black, some Black Widow spiders are actually brown. Females feature a red hourglass shape on their abdomens. Black Widows like warmer regions and thrive in the desserts of the United States. Although the female black widow does inject poison when it bites, only one percent of bites result in death

Even though Brown Recluse spiders are often blamed for spider bites, scientists suspect that many bites come from these Sac spiders. Sac spiders carry a venom that has cytotoxin and actually kills cells. Even though the bite can leave a nasty mark and irritation in the area, or the person might feel a bit ill, these bites are not deadly. These spiders are also known as ghost spiders.


Caught In His Web:

Kills

The Chinese bird spider (Haplopelma schmidti) is a type of tarantula found in southern China and Vietnam and is considered extremely aggressive and highly venomous. According to Liang Song Ping, professor of biology at Hunan Normal University, the Chinese bird spider is one of the most venomous spiders in China. The venom of the Chinese bird spider is a neurotoxin that causes severe nerve damage, rendering the victim incapable of moving, and sometimes causing death if not treated. This spider's leg span is approximately eight inches, making it relatively large compared to other spiders in China. It captures its food by hiding and emerging from earthen burrows that can be up to several feet deep. Despite its name, the Chinese bird spider mostly dines on small rodents and insects.

Funnel-Web spiders are found in Australia close to Sydney. The bites from these spiders are dangerous and can cause a number of frightening symptoms in as little as 10 or 15 minutes. Of greatest concern are symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coma. Lesser symptoms include chills, fever, vomiting, numbness of mouth and lips and drooping eyelids. If bitten by this spider, seek an antivenom.

Even though the Black Widow may have a better known name, the Mouse Spider is actually quite venomous. Also, these spiders are in nearly every country and environment imaginable. The female is black and the male is dark brown or black with a red head area. The venom of the Mouse Spider is similar to the venom in a Funnel-Web spider. This spider is highly aggressive and will attack when it feels threatened

This spider is a native of the United States. A seemingly innocuous spider, yet its bite can wreak all kinds of havoc on humans. Brown Recluse spiders like to hide away in dark places, such as boxes, under furniture and around books. Symptoms of having been bit by this spider include redness and swelling around the bite, as well as nausea, fever, vomiting and shivering.

This spider is found in Australia. Its bite can be deadly, especially to the very young or the very old. The spider likes dry areas and is often found outdoors. Its appearance is similar to that of the black widow. It is found in both rural and urban areas. Most bites from the Red Back Spider occur in the summertime. Symptoms include pain, sweating, vomiting and weakness in the muscles.

This spider is unique in its ability to camouflage. It not only buries itself in the sand, but even above ground it looks like sand—until you see its crab-like legs scurrying. It has an exoskeleton with bristly hair-like structures that trap sand so the spider is coated in sand at all times.

It rarely bites humans, but its venom is powerful, able to kill a rabbit in a few hours. There are no recorded human fatalities from its bite. Its venom causes blood vessels to leak, tissues to break down, and eventually organ failure.

Also called the Banana Spider, this species is both aggressive and extremely venomous. Although called a Brazilian spider, there are a variety of species found in forests in countries such as Costa Rica, Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. The spider's venom contains a neorotoxin known as PhTx3. Although their venom is deadly, the spider or spiders would have inject enough venom to harm a human.

These spiders are both brown and gray. Their venom might not be lethal, but like any spider bite infection can set in. If bitten by a Wolf Spider, or any spider, you should seek treatment from your doctor. Do not bind a bite wound, instead put ice on it until you can reach medical help. There around 125 different types of Wolf Spiders found in the USA and another 50 in Europe.

One of the largest spiders around, just the sight of this monster is enough to strike fear in the heart of any arachnophobe. Even though this giant is the size of a dinner plate, and does carry venom, it is far from deadly. Most of the time, some minor pain and swelling will occur at the site of the bite. The Goliath Birdeater can even devour a full grown mouse or small birds, thus the name.

These arachnids usually defend themselves only when provoked or threatened. Hobo spiders are extremely protective of their egg sacs and will bite if they perceive a threat to their young. Oftentimes, humans do not realize that they are encroaching upon a hobo spider. This often occurs when a spider is residing in dark areas.

An initial study of the hobo spider venom reported their venom to be a medical threat that would produce necrotic lesions. Subsequent research has dispelled this, and the spider is no longer considered a medically threatening spider.