The southern black widow has the telltale red
hourglass on their abdomen, and the rest of its
body is dark. Many who are bitten by a black widow
spider never know it, but some feel tingling, chills,
an increase in blood pressure, nausea and fatigue.
For people who are immune-compromised or
have allergies, a black widow bite can bring about
symptoms such as trouble breathing or extreme
pain. While it is rare for a black widow bite to be
fatal, be particularly watchful with children. If you
think you or your child has been bitten by a black
widow spider, see a medical expert as soon as
possible, just to play it safe.
What is the best way to identify a spider bite? It
will look like two small, red dots that may have some
bump after about an hour. If you notice you have
been bitten, watch the bite closely: If you see a red
ring around the bite that increases in size or a large
bump develop, seek emergency care.
The brown widow spider is also found in Florida. Like its name suggests, this spider is grayish
brown or brown in color. Its egg sacs have an interesting shape, covered in small spikes.
Studies have shown that symptoms that occur due to a brown widow spider bite may not be
as serious as those of a black widow spider. A 1993 study published in the South African
Medical Journal states that, “It was evident that black widow spider bites caused a more severe
form of envenomation than brown widow bites.”
Still, if you are bitten by what appears to be a brown widow spider and encounter alarming
symptoms, seek medical help. Brown widow spiders live in sheltered locations like the garage
and beneath eaves.
All of these spiders live in similar areas of your house or in the outdoors. To prevent bites,
a good shake before slipping them on, especially if they’ve been unused for a while.
SCORPIONS
Another unwanted visitor to many homes and camping
trips is the scorpion. Most of the scorpions we have here in Florida
– be they big or small – are not exceedingly venomous and,
according to the Mayo Clinic, scorpion stings are painful but
rarely life-threatening. Young children and older adults are most
at risk of serious complications.
There are three primary types of scorpions in Florida: The
Hentz striped scorpion, which is striped and the smallest of
three species; the Florida bark scorpion or Florida slender brown
scorpion, which can grow up to four inches long; and the Giana
striped scorpion, which is usually found only in Collier, Miami-Dade,
and Monroe counties. It is an average-sized scorpion that can give a
particularly painful sting.
While bark scorpions in Central and South America can be deadly, our bark scorpion is
considered to be far less lethal. Nonetheless, all of these scorpions can give a sharp, painful
venom, which can cause an anaphylactic response.
40 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • November/December • 2020
Black Widow
Brown Widow Black Widow
Spider Bite
Hentz
striped
scorpion