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Love bites - Do venomous arachnids make safe pets?

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Pet spiders and scorpions are increasingly popular, but proper care significantly minimizes risks. Most bites cause minor symptoms, and fatalities are rare, indicating safe pet ownership with due diligence.

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Zoology

Background:

  • Spiders and scorpions are increasingly popular exotic pets globally.
  • Concerns exist regarding their venomous nature and public perception, prompting legislative considerations.
  • Limited data exists on the actual risks associated with keeping arachnids as pets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the circumstances and effects of bites and stings from pet arachnids.
  • To assess the risks associated with keeping spiders and scorpions as pets.
  • To inform potential legislation and public understanding of arachnid pet ownership.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 354 self-reported incidents of bites and stings from pet arachnids.
  • Categorization of envenomation severity and symptom types.
  • Risk assessment based on collected bite and sting data.

Main Results:

  • Fewer than 20 envenomations per year were recorded on average.
  • Approximately 90% of incidents were preventable with proper care.
  • The vast majority of symptoms were local (60.7%) or minor (32.8%); severe symptoms (1.1%) and fatalities were rare.

Conclusions:

  • Arachnids can be safely kept as pets when appropriate care is provided.
  • The risk associated with pet arachnid ownership is lower than often perceived and comparable to other recreational activities.
  • Proper husbandry and owner education are crucial for mitigating risks.