why is a black widow spider so deadly it can kill a human?

Question

its never gonna eat something the size of a human surley

Answer 1

Can it kill a human? ,,,, Most definitely ,,,,

The dangerous feature about this spider or any other venomous species of arachnid is of course it's venom ,,,, It's extremely toxic to any living organism including humans ,,,,

As with most spiders the insect is unable to ingest or digest solid material ,,,, It's food has to be liquified prior to ingestion,,,, The bite it's self can hardly be felt if at all ,,,, There's no pain to the bite but the effects are deadly ,,,, The venom will start to effect the central nervous system and literally starts to break down or liquify muscle and organ tissues ,,,,

Some of the symptoms include severe pain,,swelling and discoloration of the skin tissue around the effected area which will spread as the venom takes hold and eventually disorientation ,,,,

If treatment isn't administered within a timely fashion after the person is bitten then muscle and organ tissues start to break down and liquify ,,,, The victims central nervous system and internal functions start to malfunction ,,,, He will lose consciousness then go into shock,,he will then lapse into a coma and then finally death occurs ,,,,

How fast the venom effects the individual depends of course on the size of the victim ,,,, A smaller person such as a child would be at greater risk than a full grown adult but that doesn't necessarily have to hold true either ,,,,There could be other factors involved depending on the individual ,,,, Age of the victim is one ,,,, In which ever case it's vital that the victim or someone recognizes the symptoms and gets medical help immediately after being bitten or as soon as possible after the symptoms become apparent ,,,,

Almost all medical facilities have an anti venom or something to counter the effects of the venom until an anti venom can be administered ,,,,

This species of arachnid although not all that prevalent is indigenous to most of the United States and some parts of Canada but mostly seen in the warmer areas ,,,,

One defense against this insect is a periodic application of an effective pesticide around the foundation of your house and in dark areas like the basement or crawl space,, the attic,, in closets,, and around air ducts ,,,, Sometimes even these precautions fail though ,,,,

Your best defense is to know and recognize the symptoms and effects of the bite ,,,, It's imperative that you get the victim to a medical facility A-sap (as soon as possible) ,,,,

I've tried to make this as well rounded an answer as I can but if you want more facts and details on this subject type in arachnids or venomus arachnids in the search box on your screen ,,,, You'll have allot of reading ahead of you

I hope this helps ,,,, It's a good question though and one which involves a situation that everyone should be a ware of ,,,, You get a star for it from me ,,,,

Yoda told you this ,,,,

Answer 2

The black widow's venom is extremely potent, (15 times as potent than that of the rattlesnakes; it is also reported to be much more potent than the venom of cobras and coral snakes), these spiders are not especially large. In the case of a mature female, the hollow, needle shaped part of each chelicera, the part that penetrates the skin, is approximately 1.0 mm (around .04 inch) long, sufficiently long to inject the venom to a dangerous depth. When this small amount of venom is diffused throughout the body of a healthy, mature human, it usually does not amount to a fatal dose (though it can produce the very unpleasant symptoms of Latrodectism). Deaths in healthy adults from Latrodectus bites are relatively rare in terms of the number of bites per thousand people. On the other hand, the geographical range of the widow spiders is very great. As a result, far more people are exposed, world-wide, to widow bites than are exposed to bites of more dangerous spiders, so the highest number of deaths world-wide are caused by members of their genus.

Answer 3

Contary to popular mythology, the Black widow rarely kill human's (young children and the old and infirm aside). In fact in the US it is the Brown Recluse spider that causes more deaths. Venom differs from creature to creature and some venoms do not affect other creatures. The Sydney Funnelweb spider of Australia for instance can be fatal to humans but cats are immune. The rattlesnake has one of the most potent venoms in the snake world but it only delivers enough to kill its potential prey ie small to medium size rodents.

Answer 4

It is just one of those things. Nobody planned it, their venom is highly toxic to us it is not about eating us it is just a side effect, a crocodile is non toxic but will eat us so does that make you feel better. Also don't take it out on the spider because people with allergies can die from nuts or seafood or gluten or dairy products.
A single bee sting can be fatal if you are allergic the whole world is a minefield it ain't just big things that kill,there are viruses , insects, snakes and foodstuffs which are totally toxic not to mention plants like poison ivy and deadly nightshade, Christ I just realised how bad it is,- I'm never going to go outside again!!!

Answer 5

The spider has a very toxic nerve venom. Most healthy people survive a bite but can suffer from secondary things such as gangrene. The bite produces a large swelling and discolouration and is excrciatingly painful. Even when the antivenom is given the pain can last for weeks after and good medical aftercare following the bite. However a small child or elderly person may well die as may those with a heart condition.
No their not going to eat something our size but they do tackle things a hell of a lot bigger than themselfs.Also bear in mind that our bodies are very complex and have a huge nervious system and it does not take a lot of any venom to screw it up. Please feel a bit sorry for the male who has to mate with her. He very often becomes dinner.

Answer 6

The Black Widows venom attacks the nervous system. It is the most venomous spider in the USA, it is a potent neurotoxic venom, however the human mortality is less than 1%. Once the venom enters the nervous system you will experience a lot of abdominal and back pain. You will start to feel feverish, find breathing become more difficult and suffer from tremors.

Answer 7

They are pretty small indeed but their venoms are neurotoxic which means their acts specifically on nerve cells – neurons. If it would act on the neuron, depending on the amount, it could cause paralysis in any part of the system. If the respiratory or cardiovascular system is paralyzed, death follows if no appropriate saving measures are done.

Answer 8

Probably not, but boredom can drive you to do stupid things. Like biting surley humans.

Answer 9

It's not that it's trying to kill it for food; usually animals attack when they are startled or fenced in. The movie Arachnaphobia glorifies spiders as being out for a kill, when in reality, they only attack if they think it is necessary to defend themselves or their young.

Answer 10

Its venom is that toxic. It shuts down the bodies organsand puts you into shock unless you get the anti venom