What actually happens
A tarantula bite is comparable to a bee sting for most people: localized pain, mild swelling, possible itching. Anaphylaxis to spider venom is rare but possible, as with any arthropod injury.
Urticating hairs flicked from the abdomen are a more frequent source of irritation than the bite itself, particularly for eyes and mucous membranes.
References
- [1]Spider Myths - Burke Museum, University of Washington. Accessed June 2026.
Related in Myths vs. facts
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