A waterfall on the Hawaiian island of Kauai
When you think of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, visions of sandy beaches, lush forests and smoldering volcanoes likely spring to mind. Like any tropical locale, however, there are also certain natural perils of which you should be aware. The island of Kauai is home to a number of deadly and hazardous spiders. The bite of these arachnids are not always deadly to a grown adult but can still pose a significant danger to pets, children, the elderly and the infirm.
Black Widow
The black widow is one of the deadliest spiders in the world and can be found throughout the United States, including the Hawaiian islands. Females black widows are much more aggressive and dangerous than males. The spider has a distinctive hourglass shape on its belly that can range from dark yellow to red. Bites will have two distinct fang marks and start to swell immediately. More serious symptoms include muscle cramps and vomiting and can take up to an hour to set in. If you think a black widow spider has bitten you, ice the wound and seek medical attention immediately.
Brown Widow
The venom of brown widow spiders is twice as potent as its close relative the black widow. However, these spiders are less dangerous for a number of reasons. They do not inject as much venom when they bite and are much less aggressive. They tend not to defend their webs as aggressively as the black widow, often choosing to retreat rather than attack when feeling threatened.
Kauai Cave Wolf Spider
This unique and unusual spider is found only in three caves on Kauai island. Although it's paralytic venom is deadly, this spider comes into contact with humans so rarely that it is not considered dangerous. Unlike other spiders, the cave wolf spider does not weave a web to catch its prey, although it might use silks to make snares or trip wires. It is a swift runner and pursues its food on foot. The venom not only paralyzes the victim but also reduces its tissues to a liquid that the spider can digest. This particular spider is blind and severely endangered due to habitat destruction.
Asian Spiny-Backed Spider
The attractive little Asian spiny-backed spider is not native to the island of Kauai. It is originally from India and Sri Lanka and was first introduced to the Hawaiian islands in 1985. In the present day, it is found on every Hawaiian island with the exception of Oahu. It has a talent for building webs with lightening speed. Although its poison is not deadly, its bite is painful and will swell. Medical attention should be sought if a vulnerable person (a child, for example) suffers a bite from an Asian spiny-backed spider.
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