Originally posted by: Stumps
A Black Widow is closely related to the Australian Red Back...which has stronger venom.
The Red Back is regarded as generally harmless in Australia, unless you have an allergic reaction to the bite or are a small child, to which then you need Anti-venin.
Like I said, I have been biten many times by redbacks, even large females (which have caused fatalities in the past), the bite is extremely painful and you do get some localised swelling, but the results are no worse than a bee sting.
In one study in Australia, however, around 70% of the individuals only presented with local symptoms and did not present with systemic symptoms.
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Stumps
A Black Widow is closely related to the Australian Red Back...which has stronger venom.
The Red Back is regarded as generally harmless in Australia, unless you have an allergic reaction to the bite or are a small child, to which then you need Anti-venin.
Like I said, I have been biten many times by redbacks, even large females (which have caused fatalities in the past), the bite is extremely painful and you do get some localised swelling, but the results are no worse than a bee sting.
I'm aware of this, but saying that a black widow bite is no worse than a bee sting is insane.
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I will concede that death is rare, but it's certainly not unheard of or impossible, and it has nothing to do with being allergic to the venom.
I did find this tidbit -
In one study in Australia, however, around 70% of the individuals only presented with local symptoms and did not present with systemic symptoms.
I wouldn't doubt that you Australians have developed some form of immunity to the venom. So I believe you, but that only appears to be common in Australia.
Originally posted by: Stumps
pussification of American's maybe?
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Stumps
pussification of American's maybe?
That would be like saying the Native Americans are pussies because they had no natural immunity to Small Pox.
Further, the deaths that have occurred recently from black widow bites have been in Europe.
Originally posted by: angminas
The best that's likely to happen from a black widow bite is hours of excruciating pain and thousands of dollars in ER bills, and it only gets worse from there. I don't think being very careful around them suggests weakness or smallness. A black widow bite is like a bee sting? Sorry, no. I don't know much about redbacks, but if you get bitten by a black widow and you don't head straight to the hospital, you're either really stupid, lost in the wilderness, or trapped under something heavy.
Edit: at least in America.
Originally posted by: kaname
That's one thing i will never miss about NM, all the bugs, I actually live in Portland now, I love it out here compared to NM, no wind, no blazing sun, I feel your pain. What city do you live in? ABQ?
Originally posted by: dennilfloss
I saw some in southwest Oregon near Ashland-Medford and in northern California (north of Yreka) while doing geological fieldwork for my Ph. D.