Frightening spiders in Phuket
Disclaimer: Arachnophobes better skip this article!
Phuket is undoubtedly a paradise island, but there’s one small (and sometimes not so small) catch: insects. In Thailand, there are thousands of species. But today, we’re not going to talk about them, but rather about a family of arthropods — spiders.
There are plenty of them in Phuket, but fortunately, they don’t pose a serious threat to humans unless you have a severe allergy or a specific reaction to a bite. Nevertheless, among the spiders in Thailand, there are some encounters that are far from pleasant, and some of them are considered dangerous.
Black Tarantula
There are over 900 species of tarantulas in the world, but only three are found in Thailand. The most well-known and one of the largest (up to 15 cm!) and most aggressive is the black tarantula, which is rightfully considered one of the biggest spiders in Thailand.
It lives in burrows, tropical forests, and loves high humidity. For example, black tarantulas are quite common in Khao Sok National Park, where tourists from Phuket often go on excursions.
This spider is completely black and doesn’t turn brown before molting like other tarantulas do.
The black tarantula feeds on birds, lizards, frogs, and insects. It can bite a human only out of fear. Although venomous, it won’t cause serious harm to a person unless they’re allergic.
Cobalt Blue Tarantula
The cobalt blue tarantula is terrifyingly beautiful: it has a striking color ranging from bright blue to green with a velvet-like texture. The leg span of this spider can reach 15 centimeters.
In the wild, cobalt blue tarantulas inhabit moist tropical climates, where they dig burrows in damp soil and line them with their sticky webs.
This spider’s venom won’t kill a person but can cause intense pain and muscle spasms. Nevertheless, due to their attractive (albeit niche) appearance, these spiders are often kept in home terrariums.
Black Widow
This spider got its name because the female eats the male after the mating period. You can recognize it by its glossy black color, and females have a red spot on their abdomen. The black widow’s web is also unique in shape, with thicker strands.
The spider’s size doesn’t exceed 10 mm for females and 4 mm for males, but its venom is potent enough to cause fever, nausea, and pain in an adult. Fortunately, bites from these spiders are not fatal.
Black widows prefer to settle in rural areas near houses, so encounters with this spider are quite possible. However, they generally have no interest in humans and feed on small insects and other spiders.
Huntsman Spider
The huntsman spider is one of the largest spiders on the planet. Including its legs, this giant can reach 30 cm! It’s usually gray or brown. Despite its intimidating appearance, the huntsman spider’s bite isn’t dangerous, although it can be quite painful.
Despite their size, huntsman spiders are very fast. Their speed and flexible legs allow them to catch even large insects like crickets.
Golden Orb-Weaver
This spider is venomous but, fortunately, not to humans. However, its size is intimidating: it can be as large as your hand!
The web of these spiders is highly elastic and durable, with five times the tensile strength of steel wire! They often spin their webs over trails and paths where people walk, and sometimes you might run straight into one, which isn’t a pleasant experience.
Yellow Sac Spider
This pale-yellow spider somewhat resembles a tarantula due to its hairy body. It can be identified by a large yellow spot at its body’s base and prominent fangs.
The yellow sac spider lives in warm, dry areas and spends its days spinning its web. Its bite is quite unpleasant, similar to that of a wasp sting.
What to do if a spider bites you?
If a spider bites you:
- wash the wound with clean water and soap,
- disinfect with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide,
- apply ice to the area,
- keep the bite area still,
- it’s advisable to go to the hospital and take a photo of the spider. You can find a list of hospitals in Phuket on this page.
If the pain persists, or you experience nausea, dizziness, or a fever — seek immediate medical help!
Remember, spiders aren’t interested in people, and they’ll only bite if you disturb or scare them. Take precautions, be attentive, and don’t be afraid — spiders are more afraid of you!
And if you want to see some of the unusual spiders living in Thailand, visit a terrarium or zoo. You can find a list of the best ones in Phuket in the Zoo Parks section. Also, check out the Excursions section to learn even more interesting things about the island.
