Scary Things About Spiders

Spiders Hide in Small Spaces

• Some spiders live out in the open in webs. They build these webs in plain sight in homes. However, some spiders, such as brown recluses, will hide in fruit shipments, closets, boxes and other small, dark places. This is scary because these spiders can surprise people. People can reach for a bunch of bananas at the supermarket or dig to the bottom of a box in storage, startle a venomous spider and receive a bite. This is uncommon, but it does make spiders scary.

Spiders are Small and Stealthy

• Unlike large dangerous animals, such as bears, spiders are difficult to see. Spiders can creep into beds without the occupants' knowledge. They can dangle from ceilings by a thin string of silk above people's heads without making a sound. Their small sizes give them stealth that people naturally find scary.

Some Spiders are Dangerous

• Many of the scariest looking spiders, such as camel spiders and tarantulas, are often harmless. Their appearance makes people feel like they are dangerous, but they will leave people alone more often than not and their bites are harmless, save for those who are allergic to them. Spiders that are dangerous to all humans include black widows, brown recluses, Brazilian wandering spiders and funnel web spiders.

The Way Spiders Move

• The way spiders move is scary. They skitter across surfaces, able to stick to walls and ceilings. Their speed is even scarier. Spiders can move fast for their size. For example, hobo spiders can run more than 3 feet per second. People can generally get away from spiders, as most of them are not aggressive. However, running does not help if a spider is inches away when people notice them. Spiders can clear a distance of a few inches before people have a chance to move.

Spider Webs

• Spiders use their webs to ensnare their food. Their prey gets stuck in the sticky strings of their webs. Imagining such a thing frightens people. Some spider webs are also nearly invisible. People can walk into them while hiking or walking just about anywhere. The sensation of spider webs touching skin can cause panic.