The goliath bird-eating spider is the largest spider in the world in terms of mass, and the largest member of the tarantula family. Its appearance is a combination of light and dark brown colors. They live in the rain forests of South American countries like Venezuela and Brazil, and as their name suggests, they certainly can prey on birds. Two of the most notable defense … [Read more...]

There are many myths and misconceptions about our mostly harmless, eight-legged friends the spiders. Our fear of them often impacts how we approach them, as well as how to deal with them despite their importance to the environment. Most commonly, spiders are squashed by homeowners even if it is not truly necessary. Myth #1: Spiders are extremely dangerous The most common … [Read more...]

There are various treatment methods for spider bites depending on which spider bit you, specific symptoms, and the overall health and age of the bite victim. Though most spider bites pose no threat to humans (aside from some swelling and itchiness), some spiders do inject lethal doses of venom, requiring immediate medical attention. For spider bites of the non-lethal variety, … [Read more...]

White-tailed spider bites can be quite painful, but not particularly dangerous. Those most at risk are those who have allergies or sensitive skin that may lead to complications following a bite, but generally the severity is still quite low. The most common symptoms of a bite from this particular species of arachnid are mild to severe pain and itchy skin. Appearance Another … [Read more...]

Belonging in the Sparassidae family, the huntsman spider is differentiated from other spider families because of its long legs and large size. Typically, the color of a huntsman spider is a subdued shade of brown or grey. Its legs are enveloped with protruding spines giving them a hairy appearance, yet their body is very smooth. The average body size of a male huntsman spider … [Read more...]