Are Tarantulas Bites Dangerous? "Sometime Yes", According to New Study

[findi]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquarium, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
I’ve worked with thousands of tarantulas, in zoos and my own collection, for over 50 years. In all that time, I’ve never been bitten…mainly because I do not handle them! Tarantulas certainly adjust to captivity, but they can in no way be “tamed” or “trusted not to bite”…videos and statements to the contrary should be ignored. Cases involving muscle spasms, chest pain and other severe reactions requiring hospitalizations were reviewed in a recent study – I am aware of similar cases involving colleagues working in the field. The urticating hairs of New World tarantulas are also a consideration; some years ago, a co-worker of mine required corneal surgery to remove those shed by a Red-Kneed Tarantula. Read the rest of this article here Are Tarantula Bites Dangeous? Sometimes Yes | That Reptile Blog[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

 

[gfsward]

It really all depends on the species of Tarantula for how dangerous it is. I have worked in an arthropod zoo where we have over 20 different kinds of tarantulas.

The Indian Ornamental tarantula that you talked about in your link is thought to be the most venomous tarantula (as well as old world) and feeding it by hand is just a flat out stupid idea. The tremors and hot flashes are the mild effects of an Indian Ornamental bite. Cases of temporary paralysis and searing pain have also been reported. Death can happen from any tarantula bite due to shock or secondary infection.

The most common pet tarantulas (the Chilean Rosehair and Red Knee Tarantulas) are not very venomous and won't cause those severe effects like the Indian Ornamental Tarantula. Although their uricating hairs are class 3, meaning that they are the most dangerous kinds of hairs. Class 1 causes minor irritation, class 2 can cause rashes, and class 3 causes blisters. Getting some in your eye would indeed be extremely bad. But neither of these kinds of tarantulas are life threatening as long as any defensive effects are treated properly.

Tarantulas shouldn't be something of horror stories. They are extremely interesting invertebrates that are still being researched. They would much rather run away than attack. Every time a tarantula bites something it fully depletes its venom stores and it takes time and energy to renew that amount of venom that could have been put towards feeding.

I agree that caution should be taken when handling, but being scared of them just because of their danger isn't the right way to appreciate them. Dogs, cats, even fish all have some amount of potential danger, just like tarantulas have theirs.