H. maculata: cork bark or cork bark tube?

[ApexApinkPanda]

A few people every year die from black widow bites.

I checked the CDC, NIH, and looked through several scientific papers(I'm a total nerd) and NONE of them talked about a few deaths ever year. There have been NO deaths from black widow bites in over 2 decades according to the National Poison Control Center's, National Poison Data System. Often, those who die had underlining health conditions that caused their death. Treatments from before the 1950's that have recently been analyzed have found to actually be the cause of death, not the spider venom. Kind of ironic. Several researchers have allowed themselves to be bitten (by both brown recluse and black widow) and other than becoming sick most of them sought no medical treatment but were monitored as part of the experiment. Almost all Brown Recluse bites are resolved with no ill effects by washing the bite with soap and water immediately, keeping the wound clean and rewashing the wound everyday. Bacterial issues are caused by environment and not the spider so medically they they would be considered the cause of death and not the spider. Throwing out untrue comments like "A few people every year die from black widow bites.", is the reason people like my younger sister are terrified of spiders. It kills me that she misses out on such wonderful creatures. And if anyone quotes or refers to Wikipedia I'll curse their family with a thousand years of having half human/potato bug children.


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[l4nsky]

And if anyone quotes or refers to Wikipedia I'll curse their family with a thousand years of having half human/potato bug children.

I'm not going to wade into this debate, but this comment literally had me laughing out loud. I must have looked like a straight wackjob walking out of work almost bent over laughing. Thanks for that, it's appreciated.

 

[0311usmc]

I checked the CDC, NIH, and looked through several scientific papers(I'm a total nerd) and NONE of them talked about a few deaths ever year. There have been NO deaths from black widow bites in over 2 decades according to the National Poison Control Center's, National Poison Data System. Often, those who die had underlining health conditions that caused their death. Treatments from before the 1950's that have recently been analyzed have found to actually be the cause of death, not the spider venom. Kind of ironic. Several researchers have allowed themselves to be bitten (by both brown recluse and black widow) and other than becoming sick most of them sought no medical treatment but were monitored as part of the experiment. Almost all Brown Recluse bites are resolved with no ill effects by washing the bite with soap and water immediately, keeping the wound clean and rewashing the wound everyday. Bacterial issues are caused by environment and not the spider so medically they they would be considered the cause of death and not the spider. Throwing out untrue comments like "A few people every year die from black widow bites.", is the reason people like my younger sister are terrified of spiders. It kills me that she misses out on such wonderful creatures. And if anyone quotes or refers to Wikipedia I'll curse their family with a thousand years of having half human/potato bug children.
View attachment 383318

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journals.sagepub.com

I'm too old to argue with you on this. As Ace Ventura would say "take care bye bye then".

 

[ApexApinkPanda]

I'm too old to argue with you on this. As Ace Ventura would say "take care bye bye then".

I'm not arguing with you at all, simply stating a scientifically proven fact.

 

[ErinM31]

@Blacat so long as you’re educating yourself, as it sounds like you are, and have respect for the T’s potential speed and venom, you should be fine. From my experience, the important thing is to not chance the T darting while the enclosure is open as you don’t know which way it will go and perhaps it does not either. This can easily be avoided once the T has made it’s hide (either cork slab or round can work) and if it is out, the smallest disturbance (often turning on a light is enough) should cause it to retreat to its hide and you can then do what is needed — feeding, refilling water, etc.

 

[Marlana]

I checked the CDC, NIH, and looked through several scientific papers(I'm a total nerd) and NONE of them talked about a few deaths ever year. There have been NO deaths from black widow bites in over 2 decades according to the National Poison Control Center's, National Poison Data System. Often, those who die had underlining health conditions that caused their death. Treatments from before the 1950's that have recently been analyzed have found to actually be the cause of death, not the spider venom. Kind of ironic. Several researchers have allowed themselves to be bitten (by both brown recluse and black widow) and other than becoming sick most of them sought no medical treatment but were monitored as part of the experiment. Almost all Brown Recluse bites are resolved with no ill effects by washing the bite with soap and water immediately, keeping the wound clean and rewashing the wound everyday. Bacterial issues are caused by environment and not the spider so medically they they would be considered the cause of death and not the spider. Throwing out untrue comments like "A few people every year die from black widow bites.", is the reason people like my younger sister are terrified of spiders. It kills me that she misses out on such wonderful creatures. And if anyone quotes or refers to Wikipedia I'll curse their family with a thousand years of having half human/potato bug children.
View attachment 383318

Referenced material

SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class research journals

Subscription and open access journals from SAGE Publishing, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

True! And there’s antivenin in the US but it’s rarely used. I talked to a doctor that specializes in wilderness medicine about it. I was under the impression that the reason there weren’t deaths recently was because of antivenin but that’s not true.There’s actually more of a risk from the antivenin than the actual bite in most cases, and so it’s rarely warranted or worth the extra risk.

 

[ApexApinkPanda]

and so it’s rarely warranted or worth the extra risk.

I read that, a lot of antivenom has very high risks. You can only receive Black widow anti venom once in your life. The Pacific diamond back venom is very dangerious. You pretty much have to be on your death bed to get it and it's 15k a vial.

 

[Smotzer]

I personally dont really use cork bark anymore, I have been using african root for aqauariums that is more lie flats but with more character and twists and turns and character, and then i just clutter up with plants for security. my Psalmopoeus I see out all the time. But you want somewhere for a Heteroscodra maculata to be able to retreat to and hide so a round is not a bad idea.

Psalmopoeus spp. Enclosure

• Smotzer
• Feb 17, 2021
• 9
• enclosure juvenile psalmopoeus terrarium

A flip top Better Homes & Gardens container from Walmart. I use these for my juvie arboreals...

Psalmopoeus irminia (2.75-3in)

• Smotzer
• Feb 17, 2021
• arboreal irminia psalmopoeus psalmopoeus irminia

Yuri Slovak the Turkish Ambassador to Irminia, hanging out after a rehouse!
Suspect female...

 

[ApexApinkPanda]

Wow, I really like that African root. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to look into that.

 

[Scp682]

A few people every year die from black widow bites. No one has died from an H.mac bite or any old world bite. Surely your not likely to be bitten by one but never the less they are in our houses and far more dangerous than any tarantula, the point I was making.

Yes and i agree, but it's still nothing to down play. And widow bites are rare compared to how common they are and not everyone who is bitten by a widow dies. I'm simply saying having a pet with a medically significant bite requires caution. Even if it's not on the scale of something like a crocodile it's still not something you don't respect.

 

[ErinM31]

I personally dont really use cork bark anymore, I have been using african root for aqauariums that is more lie flats but with more character and twists and turns and character, and then i just clutter up with plants for security. my Psalmopoeus I see out all the time. But you want somewhere for a Heteroscodra maculata to be able to retreat to and hide so a round is not a bad idea.

Psalmopoeus spp. Enclosure

• Smotzer
• Feb 17, 2021
• 9
• enclosure juvenile psalmopoeus terrarium

A flip top Better Homes & Gardens container from Walmart. I use these for my juvie arboreals...

Psalmopoeus irminia (2.75-3in)

• Smotzer
• Feb 17, 2021
• arboreal irminia psalmopoeus psalmopoeus irminia

Yuri Slovak the Turkish Ambassador to Irminia, hanging out after a rehouse!
Suspect female...

Wow, I really like that African root. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to look into that.

Agreed! Where do you find that?

 

[Kibosh]

Agreed! Where do you find that?

Most pet stores carry it. I use a big chunk for my Amblypygi. Looks great and it's as easy to climb as cork bark. Only issue is it's natural lack of hiding places. Can fix this with fake plants or by proping it in a corner just like you do with cork bark. Actually mostly used for aquariums.