“Spiders are scary!” That’s something pretty much all of us agree upon. Virtually everybody I know distrusts and dislikes spiders, and I suspect that even those who pretend not to be bothered by them, only do so to impress the opposite sex. It's an evolutionary thing, And while in this day and age we’re all supposed to act blase about such things, we dislike spiders for good reason. Because while it’s true that many species of spider pose no risk what-so-ever, there are those (and it can be difficult to tell one breed from another) that can inflict terrible pain via their venom, and in rare circumstances, they can prove to be fatal.
But that’s not to say the fear of spiders is a good reason not to visit Thailand, because it isn’t. Thailand has far less in the way of terrifying arachnids than many other tropical countries, and personally I haven’t, during any of my numerous visits to the land of smiles, ever encountered anything more alarming than a Gecko. It just means that you need to stay aware.
Thailand Spiders - The Black Widow
Possibly the most dangerous spider in Thailand (also found throughout much of the rest of the world) is the ‘Black Widow’ spider. Most recognisable for the red hourglass like shape that adorns the black widows back, the black widow spins its webs near ground-level, and are often found living within boxes and under piles of firewood
The black widow spider uses its venomous bite as a defensive measure only when disturbed, and while the bite can be extremely painful, they rarely prove to be fatal.
Possibly the most dangerous spider in Thailand (also found throughout much of the rest of the world) is the ‘Black Widow’ spider. Most recognisable for the red hourglass like shape that adorns the black widows back, the black widow spins its webs near ground-level, and are often found living within boxes and under piles of firewood
The black widow spider uses its venomous bite as a defensive measure only when disturbed, and while the bite can be extremely painful, they rarely prove to be fatal.
Thailand Spiders - Black Tarantula
Of all the spiders in Thailand most likely to make you crap your pants if stumbled across is the Thailand black tarantula. Large, fast, and very aggressive these burrowing spiders mainly eat crickets and other insects, but are more than capable of attacking and killing larger pray such as rodents. The Thailand black tarantula are so mean that they are even referred to as being ‘evil’ amongst spider lovers and keepers, meaning that should your path cross with one, it really is best to leave it well alone.
Of all the spiders in Thailand most likely to make you crap your pants if stumbled across is the Thailand black tarantula. Large, fast, and very aggressive these burrowing spiders mainly eat crickets and other insects, but are more than capable of attacking and killing larger pray such as rodents. The Thailand black tarantula are so mean that they are even referred to as being ‘evil’ amongst spider lovers and keepers, meaning that should your path cross with one, it really is best to leave it well alone.
Thailand Spiders - Orb Weavers
The Golden orb weaver spiders of Thailand while looking quite menacing, are actually very timid, and would only bite a human if provoked. Renowned for the impressive webs they weave the orb weavers are usually found in bushes and near flowers, and while they have been seen feeding on small birds it is usually only insects that form the main of their diet.
The venomous bite of the Thailand orb weaver spider is relatively mild compared to that of the others, however due to the small risk of allergic reactions, if bitten medical advice should still be sought.
The Golden orb weaver spiders of Thailand while looking quite menacing, are actually very timid, and would only bite a human if provoked. Renowned for the impressive webs they weave the orb weavers are usually found in bushes and near flowers, and while they have been seen feeding on small birds it is usually only insects that form the main of their diet.
The venomous bite of the Thailand orb weaver spider is relatively mild compared to that of the others, however due to the small risk of allergic reactions, if bitten medical advice should still be sought.
What to do if you get bitten by a spider in Thailand:
First things first, try not to panic. Yes they look scary and yes it’s going to hurt, but it is estimated that only around three people each year the world over die as the result of a spider bite. So your chances of survival are very very good.
Spider bite first aid:
Wash the spider bite area well with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack or a cloth soaked with hot water (use common sense, not so hot that it takes your skin off). Spider Venoms are protein based and will begin to break down at raised temperatures.
Over the counter painkillers can be used to relieve symptoms.
If possible retrieve the spider (If you’ve at this point killed it) or remember what it looked like so that it can be correctly identified at the hospital, etc. This makes it easier (quicker) for the correct anti-venom to be administered.
Seek medical advice. Because while fairly easy to treat with modern anti-venom's, if left untreated things can turn nasty. So seek out a medical practitioner for advice ASAP, should you be unlucky enough to have found yourself on the wrong side of one of Thailand's venomous spiders.
Wash the spider bite area well with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack or a cloth soaked with hot water (use common sense, not so hot that it takes your skin off). Spider Venoms are protein based and will begin to break down at raised temperatures.
Over the counter painkillers can be used to relieve symptoms.
If possible retrieve the spider (If you’ve at this point killed it) or remember what it looked like so that it can be correctly identified at the hospital, etc. This makes it easier (quicker) for the correct anti-venom to be administered.
Seek medical advice. Because while fairly easy to treat with modern anti-venom's, if left untreated things can turn nasty. So seek out a medical practitioner for advice ASAP, should you be unlucky enough to have found yourself on the wrong side of one of Thailand's venomous spiders.
But don't let the idea of these spiders put you off visiting the beautiful country of Thailand, for it would be a fool indeed who missed out on such opportunity from the fear of what 'could' happen. Instead enjoy your travels, and like the wise traveler you no doubt are, simply be prepared and know what to do should such circumstances arise.
On a visit to Mue Jey Kee Watershed in Amphoe Kalayaniwattana north of Chiang Mai City, I photographed a huge black and hairy spider which I immediately identified as a tarantula. I found it close to apond but it's not aggressive as expected of a Thailand black tarantula.
ReplyDeleteWatch out for Giant Centipedes whilst in Thailand, it is said their bite is more painful than a snake bite, they are also said to be very aggressive.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pattayaunlimited.com/2011/?07/thailands-monster-poisonous-centiped?e.html
Vietnamese Funnel Web, similar to the Sydney funnel web. Not sure if it is deadly like the sydney version, but fast and very aggressive. No far out of Bangkok in the mountains I have found a few.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a few Centipedes they are not aggressive at all quite big though, I saw a local pick one up and throw it in the bushes so not that bad, small scorpions supposed to have quite a bad sting.
ReplyDelete