For years, a common saying circulated among tarantula enthusiasts and the curious public alike: “A tarantula bite is no worse than a bee sting.” This often-repeated phrase aimed to demystify these large, hairy spiders and make them seem less intimidating as pets. When I first ventured into keeping tarantulas, having cared for a Chilean Rose Hair (Grammostola porteri) for a long time, I, too, encountered this comparison. Back in the 90s, information was less readily available, and while I knew some species were known for being more defensive and quicker to bite, the “bee sting” analogy was pervasive. Secretly, I always questioned the accuracy of this claim, especially given the sheer variety of tarantula species. Surely, some must possess venom more potent than others?
As I prepared to expand my collection and bring more tarantulas into my home – a home shared with my wife, four children, and three dogs – I felt a responsibility to revisit this widely accepted notion. The safety of my family and pets was paramount. A quick online search quickly revealed the truth: the “bee sting” comparison is a gross oversimplification and, in many cases, utterly false.
While a bite from a very small New World tarantula species might be comparable to a bee or hornet sting, even that comparison overlooks crucial factors. This simplistic statement completely ignores three critical points every potential and current tarantula owner needs to understand:
- Size Matters: Larger tarantulas possess significantly larger fangs, leading to a greater potential for mechanical damage beyond venom.
- Infection Risk: Tarantula fangs are not sterile, and their bites create puncture wounds, increasing the risk of secondary infections.
- Venom Potency Varies Greatly: Old World tarantulas possess venom that is often medically significant, far exceeding the mild venom of their New World counterparts.
These three points are not minor details; they are fundamental aspects of tarantula ownership that should never be disregarded, regardless of experience level.
The Danger of Downplaying Tarantula Bites
Recently, I’ve observed a concerning trend on social media: tarantula keepers boasting about being bitten by their spiders. In some instances, fueled by alcohol and a misguided sense of bravado, keepers intentionally provoked defensive tarantulas into biting them. While these displays of recklessness are deserving of their own discussion (perhaps for another time!), I’m more concerned with instances where keepers made genuine mistakes, resulting in bites, and then minimized the severity of the incident.
In these cases, keepers often shared photos of their injuries, assuring their audience that tarantula bites were “harmless” and “just like a bee sting.” While I appreciate their attempt to avoid sensationalizing the bites and potentially perpetuating fear of tarantulas, particularly as they were bitten by New World species with milder venom, such statements are misleading. For someone unfamiliar with tarantulas, this could easily be interpreted as a blanket statement applying to all tarantula species.
And this is simply not the reality.
It’s admirable to want to dispel the myth of tarantulas as dangerous monsters, and I wholeheartedly agree that they are often unfairly demonized. However, responsible tarantula keeping necessitates education about their bites, the significant variations in venom potency across species, and the potential consequences of a bite.
Therefore, a more detailed explanation of tarantula bites and their potential effects is essential.
The Truth About New World Tarantula Bites: Mild Venom, But Not Always Mild Consequences
It is true that New World tarantulas, originating from the Americas, generally possess less potent venom compared to their Old World relatives. They have evolved urticating hairs, barbed and irritating hairs they can kick from their abdomen as a primary defense mechanism. This evolutionary adaptation means they don’t rely as heavily on venom for defense. However, it’s crucial to understand that New World tarantulas will bite if provoked. While their venom is typically considered mild, causing localized pain, swelling, and bleeding, the “bee sting” analogy still falls short when considering other factors.
Many popular, beginner-friendly tarantula species, such as the Chilean Rose Hair, Curly Hair (Tliltocatl albopilosum), Desert Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes), and Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra), are New World species. Bites from these species often result in what victims describe as mild pain, swelling, and bleeding, leading to the “bee sting” comparison.
However, this limited perspective ignores crucial aspects that can make even a New World tarantula bite a more significant event than a simple bee sting. Let’s delve deeper into the three critical points mentioned earlier:
1. Tarantula Size and Fang Size: Mechanical Damage is a Factor
I recall reading a forum post where an owner of an 8-inch Theraphosa stirmi (Goliath Birdeater) inquired about the venom potency of this species, concerned about potential bites. While venom potency is a valid concern, this keeper overlooked a more immediate danger: an 8-inch T. stirmi possesses fangs that can be ¾ inch long or even larger. Venom aside, fangs of that size can inflict considerable physical damage to a finger, hand, or any body part.
Close-up view of the sizable fangs of a mature T. stirmi tarantula, illustrating the potential for mechanical injury from a bite, beyond just venom.
While the venom itself might only cause localized pain, the two large puncture wounds from such fangs are guaranteed to be painful. Furthermore, imagine if a fang were to strike a tendon; the resulting injury could be severe, potentially requiring surgical intervention.
This scenario is not common, but it’s a real possibility to consider when handling larger New World species like the Giant Blonde (Grammostola pulchripes), White Knee (Acanthoscurria geniculata), or species from larger genera like Phormictopus and Pamphobeteus. Regardless of venom potency, a bite from a large, mature tarantula will be a decidedly unpleasant experience, causing damage far beyond a simple bee sting.
2. The Ever-Present Risk of Infection from a Tarantula Bite
A tarantula bite, by its nature, creates one or two puncture wounds. This type of injury inherently carries a higher risk of infection compared to superficial wounds. Puncture wounds drive contaminants and bacteria deep into the tissue. While the surface wound might appear to heal quickly, this superficial closure can trap contaminants inside, allowing infection to develop beneath the skin. The depth of the wound and the nature of the foreign material introduced significantly influence the likelihood of infection.
Consider the typical diet and environment of a pet tarantula. They feed on insects like crickets, often raised in less-than-sterile conditions. Their enclosures, while we strive to keep them clean, are hardly sterile environments. Whether using coconut fiber, peat moss, or soil substrate, a tarantula’s enclosure harbors unseen traces of fecal matter and decaying organic material. It’s reasonable to assume that a tarantula’s fangs are not entirely free from bacteria and other microorganisms you wouldn’t want introduced into your body.
While it’s often stated that there are no documented modern cases of human death solely from tarantula venom, historical records tell a different story. Research reveals reports of fatalities not directly from venom toxicity but from complications arising from tarantula bites. One late 19th-century account describes an individual succumbing to gangrene after an Old World tarantula bite became infected. Another report from 1901 details a farmer who died from blood poisoning following a bite from a large spider identified as a “tarantula.”
Although these historical cases are rare and predate modern medical practices, and prompt medical attention should prevent fatal outcomes today, the risk of serious infection, especially from an untreated wound, remains a realistic concern with any tarantula bite.
3. Old World Tarantula Venom: A Potent and Debilitating “Wallop”
Old World tarantulas, originating from regions like Asia, Africa, India, and Australia, are notorious for possessing significantly more potent venom, often classified as “medically significant.” Unlike their New World relatives, these species heavily rely on their venom for defense and are far more inclined to bite to protect themselves. Certain Old World species are also known for delivering multiple bites in rapid succession, injecting a larger volume of venom.
While Old World tarantula venom is not typically lethal to healthy adults, the effects can be severe and, in some cases, prolonged, lasting for weeks or even months. The initial experience often involves intense localized pain, described by some victims as a 10 out of 10 on the pain scale. This pain then radiates up the affected limb, spreading throughout the body. Individuals who have sought medical treatment for Old World tarantula bites often report that standard pain medications provide little to no relief. Additional symptoms can include:
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Disorientation
- Shortness of breath
- Low blood pressure
- Excruciating full-body cramping
- Chest cramping
- Difficulty breathing
- Lingering numbness
While you are unlikely to die from an Old World tarantula bite, you could very well find yourself in a hospital emergency room, enduring a period of extreme misery. Worse still, some victims report experiencing lingering symptoms like cramping and dizziness for days, weeks, or even months after the bite. For firsthand accounts of Old World tarantula bites, the Bite Report section of Arachnoboards (http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/forumdisplay.php?16-Bite-Reports) provides valuable insights.
Common Old World species in the pet trade known for potent bites include the Orange Baboon Tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus), any “baboon” tarantula species, the Ornamental White-spotted Tarantula (Heteroscodra maculata), Togo Starburst (Heteroscodra lividum), Giant Baboon Tarantula (Heteroscodra gigas), Poecilotheria species (Ornamental Tarantulas), and the Purple Earth Tiger (Lampropelma violaceopes). These species are typically fast-moving, defensive, and readily inclined to bite when they feel threatened.
Despite the known severity of Old World tarantula bites, some keepers, often younger and perhaps less experienced males, declare themselves “prepared” for such a bite and unafraid of being bitten. However, witnessing the experience of seasoned keeper Rob C. from Tarantulaguy1976 (https://www.youtube.com/user/tarantulaguy1976) as he describes his symptoms following a bite from a 10-inch Poecilotheria ornata (Fringed Ornamental) should convince anyone of the serious nature of an Old World tarantula bite.
Education: The Cornerstone of Responsible Tarantula Keeping
As a tarantula enthusiast, I want to convey that tarantulas are not the monstrous creatures they are often portrayed to be. It’s crucial to understand that a tarantula bite is highly unlikely to be fatal due to venom toxicity. However, the pervasive myth that all tarantula bites are “no worse than a bee sting” needs to be definitively debunked. The severity of a bite depends significantly on the tarantula species, the size of the individual spider, and other factors like infection risk. Even a bite from a New World species can have more serious consequences than venom toxicity alone.
Tarantulas are magnificent and fascinating pets for informed and responsible keepers. They are wild animals, deserving of respect and careful handling. A responsible tarantula owner must not only educate themselves about the potential consequences of a bite but also ensure that family members and friends who may come into contact with these animals are similarly informed.
