{"id":11558,"date":"2022-07-13T15:26:38","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T20:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11558"},"modified":"2022-07-18T11:28:09","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T16:28:09","slug":"what-happens-when-a-wolf-spider-bites-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/what-happens-when-a-wolf-spider-bites-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens When A Wolf Spider Bites You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A lot of people are scared of spiders, and even those who don\u2019t have arachnophobia don\u2019t usually want to get too close. After all, spiders can bite, and some of them are quite dangerous. If you\u2019ve ever seen a wolf spider, it probably looked<\/a> pretty dangerous. But are they really as scary as they look? What happens when a wolf spider bites you, and what should you do to treat the bite? Keep reading as we answer these questions and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Dangerous are Wolf Spiders?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When compared with other types of venomous spiders, wolf spiders are not considered<\/a> particularly dangerous to humans. Can a wolf spider kill you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some types of spider bites can cause severe nerve and tissue problems and even death, wolf spider bites do not cause these symptoms. They are painful, but they are extremely unlikely to cause any serious symptoms, much less kill you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wolf spider bites may cause minor, localized swelling, and some can cause very minor skin cell death (necrosis) immediately surrounding the bite. But in most cases, you can self-treat these symptoms at home and the bite will heal within a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only time you really need to be concerned about a wolf spider bite is if you are allergic to its venom. Allergic reactions such as hives, dangerously low blood pressure, increased pulse, widespread swelling, and trouble breathing can occur.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you know you are allergic to wolf spider bites, it would be a good idea to keep an EpiPen on hand. If you\u2019re not sure whether you\u2019re allergic and you are bit by a wolf spider, monitor yourself for any symptoms that might develop and get to the hospital quickly if they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again though, severe allergic reactions are rare with wolf spider bites. In most cases, you will suffer nothing more than some momentary pain and minor localized swelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is a Wolf Spider Poisonous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wolf spiders are not poisonous, though they are venomous. What\u2019s the difference, you ask?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word \u201cpoisonous\u201d<\/em> refers to anything that can cause negative symptoms if you touch, smell, or eat it. Wolf spiders will cause you no harm just from touching or handling them, they produce no toxic fumes, and they are even safe to eat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVenomous\u201d<\/em> means that an animal can inject toxins into your bloodstream that may cause symptoms, such as a rattlesnake biting you or a scorpion stinging you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wolf spiders do release a mild venom when they bite; this venom paralyzes the insects they hunt<\/a> and can cause mild pain and swelling in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The venom is also responsible for prompting an anaphylactic reaction, as described above, in those who are allergic to it. The venom itself doesn\u2019t cause these more serious symptoms; instead, the symptoms are a result of the allergic individual\u2019s body overreacting to the venom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are Wolf Spiders So Aggressive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, wolf spiders aren\u2019t very aggressive at all. They don\u2019t like people and they prefer to scurry away and hide over trying to pick fights with much larger creatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are moments when wolf spiders do display some aggression. Why is this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like all arachnids, wolf spiders will do what they have to in order to defend themselves and their babies. If they are unable to escape or they feel acutely threatened, they may raise their front legs in a defensive posture or charge at the threat in an effort to scare it off.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say you\u2019ve captured a wolf spider in a jar and are poking and prodding it with a stick. The spider will feel backed into a corner, with no possibility of escape; it will raise its front legs and attempt to attack the stick, as shown in this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lO9q5yRxBL0<\/a>