Is there a poisonous species of Tarantula?

Question

I have read that some species of Tarantula are very poisonous. Is this true? What are these species and where do they live?

Answer 1

The Sydney Funnelweb Tarantula of Australia is very poisonous. Though not considered a "true" tarantula is still is a tarantula. What does that mean? Well, a box jellyfish isn't a "true" jellyfish because it is not syphozoan. It's cubozoan. But it is still a jellyfish to most people. There are some "true" tarantulas, usually from South America, that have enough venom to kill a large bird or make people need to go to the hospital but are not fatal bites. I forget its exact name but believe it or not I think its called a Bird-Eating Tarantula or something very close to that.

Answer 2

yes but...........
There are no substantiated reports of tarantula bites proving fatal to a human, though there have been reports that a Chinese bird spider may have killed a small child in southern China. In general, though, the effects of the bites of all kinds of tarantulas are not well known. While the bites of many species are known to be no worse than a wasp sting, accounts of bites by some species are reported to be very painful. There might indeed be deadly tarantulas of some kind, but no human has yet provoked one of them sufficiently to get a fully envenomated bite. Because other proteins are included when a toxin is injected, some individuals may suffer severe symptoms due to an allergic reaction rather than to the venom. For both those reasons, and because any deep puncture wound can become infected, care should be taken not to provoke any tarantula into biting. Tarantulas are known to have highly individualistic responses. Some members of species generally regarded as aggressive can be rather easy to get along with, and sometimes a spider of a species generally regarded as docile can be provoked. Anecdotal reports indicate that it is especially important not to surprise a tarantula.

New world tarantulas (those found in North and South America) are equipped with urticating hairs on their abdomen, and will almost always use these as a first line of defense. These hairs will irritate sensitive areas of the body and especially seem to target curious animals who may sniff these hairs into the mucous membranes of the nose. These hairs generally do not irritate the hands or other tough areas of skin. Some species have more effective urticating hairs than others. The goliath birdeater is one species known for it's particularly irritating urticating hairs. Old world tarantulas (from Asia) have no urticating hairs, and are more likely to attack when disturbed. Old world tarantulas often have more potent, medically significant venom.

Before biting, tarantulas may signal their intention to attack by rearing up into a "threat posture", which may involve raising their prosoma and lifting their front legs into the air, spreading and extending their fangs, and (in certain species) making a loud hissing noise called Stridulating. Their next step, short of biting, may be to slap down on the intruder with their raised front legs. If that response fails to deter the attacker they may next turn away and flick urticating hairs toward the pursuing predator. Their next response may be to leave the scene entirely, but, especially if there is no line of retreat, their next response may also be to whirl suddenly and bite. Tarantulas can be very deceptive in regard to their speed because many of them move very slowly, creating the impression that they could not possibly move as rapidly as they actually can.

Answer 3

Yes, there are some poisonous ones, like the bird spider, but most will only give you a very bad bee sting like reaction. I don't remember where they live; probably in an african jungle.

Answer 4

All tarantulas have large, venomous fangs. Their venom is not strong enough to kill an adult human, but it would still be wise to avoid getting bitten, as it can produce extremely painful swelling.

Answer 5

I was told that they are not poisonous but they have a venom that is not unlike a bee sting. Be very careful handling any creature that you are unfamiliar with.