HeyI gotta first say, thanks for posting this long bit of info, I found it to be very interesting, as I am sure most did....However, in that article it actually did say that the bite to the beck was considered to be "life threatening" without immediate medical attention.
As you can see, the bite in the neck, was in fact, considered to be life threatening. And while he made mention that people with heart conditions are likely the ones at greatest risk, this man who's bite he considered life threatening was, by all indications, a perfectly healthy adult....life threatening, simply because of the location of the bite.
This very last line: "Stromatopelma is the link between the relatively harmless mass of Theraposids, and the few species that can be life threatening to man". He obviously considers the species to be different from most other Theraposids when it comes to bites.
I do hear what you're saying though, that under almost every circumstance, no t is life threatening (not even S.cal), I can't and won't ever argue with that, and like you, I consider them dangerous, but not what I would personally characterize as deadly (but others certainly might, and their viewpoint isn't necessarily wrong, just slightly different)....but this possibility...raised in your posted article, does demonstrate that they certainly do have the capabilities, and I think this is all a lot of people are saying, that it is possible....because these things are like greased lightning, and having one end up n a face or neck is a very real possibility should the critter briefly escape.
Its just a difference in point of view I think, many see the possibility as enough to call them life threatening, others, like you, do not see it that way as special conditions need to be met...I actually see where both sides are coming from and an kinda surprised that the argument has escalated like it did.
Thanks again for the info you posted
Very few, yourself, Eulersk, Townesvanzandt, maybe one or two more i can't remember, have actually tried to contribute to a healthy discussion - so thanks for that
.I do agree with you for the most part. Except the part where Phillip talks about the venom extraction kit helping and possibly preventing a death - it's a load of rubbish.
It's well documented by Doctors/Toxicologists who specialise in venomous bites over the last decade, that they're awful and can actually do more harm than good.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with Dr. Sean Bush, he one of the world leading experts when it comes to envenomations in a clinical sense. When doctors around the world have no clue how to treat an envenomation, he is the guy they call.
Here is a short document written by him (yes it relates to snakebite suction devices, but it's the same tool - as people rarely bothered to use it on tarantula envenomations. Where it was common practice with venomous snakes) :
http://www.doctorross.co.za/wp-cont...-suction-devices-suck-emerg-med-clin-n-am.pdf
And no worries, that's what discussions are for, not for throwing snide remarks or petty jibes, it's supposed to be an environment where people can learn and share opinions - after all we are supposed to be adults.