Most people have heard of the dangers of encountering venomous animals in the wildโspecifically, snakes and spiders. However, one particular spider, the black widow, may not be as lethal as previously believed. Yet, itโs still a bad idea to encourage them to bite because the effects can be long-lasting. Either way, a YouTube channel popular for its daring encounters with wildlife has shown what happens when the spider does attack.
Black Widow Bites More Often Than Not, Just Cause Major Discomfort
Jack Schonhof of Jackโs World of Wildlife posted a video where he allowed a black widow to bite him. While he noted that the black widow bite wasnโt as lethal as people believed it to be,ย itโs still not suggested that people allow a black widow to bite (yes, we had to say this). Jack underwent two weeks of symptoms following the black widow bite, which included โthe worstโ lower back pain. In the video, Jack points out that it actually takes quite a bit to provoke a black widow. โAgain, these widow spiders a very, very, very reluctant to bite. The only way youโre realistically going to be bitten by a black widow is if you pin it to your skin.โย He explained.ย โSo, if youโre leaving your shoes outside, check your shoes. If youโre leaving stuff in your garage that youโre putting on, check it before you put it on.โ

Some viewers were not convinced that a black widow may pose no real lethal threat. โYou didnโt change my mind about black widows. You still proved to me to avoid the h**l out of them.โย Disclosed one follower. Meanwhile, others have commended him for his bravery and his desire to clear up misconceptions that people have regarding wildlife, such as the black widow and its lethal bite. Regardless, itโs still not a good idea to provoke a black widow because their bite is still venomous and can cause serious health risks. Moreover, there is always the possibility that someone has an allergy to a black widow bite. In this case, it can quickly become life-threatening.
A Mission to Educate Others
Incredibly, Jack doesnโt just immerse himself into the wild. He intentionally provokes wildlife to show people a first-hand account of what happens when wildlife retaliates. He has countless videos in which he shows his audience the effects of his encounters with venomous wildlife. Some include other venomous spiers, ants, centipedes, and even a scorpion. His bravery and compassion for the great outdoors has been deemed โcriminally underratedโ by his followers.
Numerous Misconceptions about Black Widows
As it turns out, itsย โlethalโย bite isnโt the only misconception about the black widow. Some believe that a black widow spider might prefer to live indoors. However, this isnโt the case, and most of the time, when they end up inside, itโs by accident. In many cases, theyโre found stowing away, in produce. The reason for this is that the black widow and other spiders feed on insects. Namely, those that destroy crops. So, a black widow found in produce can actually be a good sign because it means the fruits and vegetables may be free from other pesky insects.
Next, black widow spiders arenโt generally aggressive. Jackโs video shows that they actually take quite a bit to be provoked. As such, itโs rare for a human to be bitten by a black widow. In contrast, theyโre actually docile beings who prefer to run and hide than to โfight back.โ
Advantageous to Have Around
Lastly, while a black widow spider bite isnโt ideal, itโs a great idea to allow them to hand about outdoors because they eat other insects that cause damage to homes, such as ants and termites, or those that cause harm to crops, such as fruit flies. When a black widow does make its way into the house, a seemingly better option than killing it is to release it. Grab a large mason jar and a piece of paper. Capture the spider in the jar and cover it with paper so it canโt escape, then find a tree nearby to release it.
While arachnophobia is a common fear, itโs one that only makes sense in certain instances. And can easily be overcome with education and a little more compassion for all the creatures with whom we share our planet.

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