Hobbies And Interests
Hobo Spider
People have erroneously attributed aggression to the hobo spider. Measuring about half an inch, hobo spiders resemble quite a few other spiders, including the dangerous brown recluse. Its lower section, the abdomen, features yellow and gray markings. Male hobo spiders bite more often than females because they wander near human habitation, but the bites of juvenile specimens are the most dangerous of all. Hobo spider bites cause grievous skin wounds and affect the blood and internal organs. Treatment includes Dapsone, a drug that treats leprosy, corticosteroids and possible surgery to clear infected wounds.
Brown Recluse
The most distinguishing feature of the brown recluse is the violin shape sitting atop its cephalothorax -- the section comprising its head and upper body. Unlike the hobo spider, the abdomen of this spider appears a solid brown color. Brown recluses prefer their prey dead, and they can live up to six months without eating or drinking. The spider lives in dim areas near humans, but rarely acts aggressively. Possessing the same type of venom as the hobo spider, the brown recluse causes painful wounds that eat away at flesh and heal very slowly. Shock, a medical emergency, may develop from the effects of the venom. Death can occur in the immune-compromised, the elderly or young children. Doctors treat brown recluse bites similarly to those of hobo spiders.
Widows and Redbacks
Widow spiders, which include the redbacks of Australia, make their homes all over the world. Female spiders have uniformly black, compact bodies with a smattering of red on the back or stomach; an exception is the brown widow with its tannish body and grayish markings. Male specimens do possess venom, but their mouth parts cannot pierce human skin. True to its name, the female widow cannibalizes the smaller male after mating, possibly believing him to be food. The venom of widow spiders acts on the nervous system, causing a condition called lactrodectism, which cramps and paralyzes muscles, raises blood pressure and stimulates feelings of intense pain.
Funnel-Web Spiders
Named for the shape of their webs, funnel-web spiders create their funnels under rocks and logs in the humid highland forests of Australia. These large, dark spiders have shiny coverings on their cephalothoraxes. Silky threads extend from the openings of the web funnel, acting as a warning mechanism for the spider that poses near the entrance. Male Sydney funnel-web spiders looking for mates cause most lethal envenomations because of a toxic chemical in their venom called Robustoxin, a substance uniquely venomous to humans and monkeys. An effective antivenom exists; however, the drug loses much of its efficacy if first aid measures have not been administered.
Brazilian Wandering Spider
Also called the banana spider, the Brazilian wandering spider is possibly the most venomous spider in the world. Wandering spiders, instead of lying in wait on webs, stalk the floors of the rainforests of South America looking for prey. Unlike other species of deadly spiders, the Brazilian wandering spider unfortunately does not shy away from confrontation and often initiates attacks by standing on its hind legs and raising its front appendages. Envenomation causes victims excruciating pain, breathing problems and paralysis. In cases of severe envenomation, men sport erections lasting for hours.