Connect with us

Published

2 years ago

on

A venomous Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) shows its fangs. (Image credit: Ken Griffiths via Getty Images)

Spiders are common critters. And, as almost all of Earth’s 43,000 known spider species are venomous (opens in new tab) , it is likely that most people have encountered a venomous spider at one point or another. 

So that’s the bad news. The good news, however, is that of these, only 25 species are known to have killed or caused serious harm to humans. But which spider is the deadliest?

The deadliest spiders — or at least those most frequently cited as having caused death or serious injury to humans — are funnel-web spiders (Atrax), redback and black widow spiders (Latrodectus), banana and wandering spiders (Phoneutria) and recluse spiders (Loxosceles). 

But even these deadly spiders, with potent venom and fangs primed for piercing skin, are not particularly dangerous to humans. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (opens in new tab) (AAPCC) tracked only one death caused by a spider bite in the U.S. in 2021. Australia, home to some of the most venomous spiders in the world, hasn’t reported a single spider bite death since the 1980s (opens in new tab) . 

“It is incredibly rare to have a deadly spider encounter,” said Rick Vetter (opens in new tab) , a retired research associate with the Department of Entomology at University of California, Riverside, whose research focused on medically important spiders. “Considering all the bad things that could happen to you, if spiders are your biggest concern, then you are living the good life.”

Related: Are daddy longlegs really the most venomous spiders in the world?

Funnel-web spiders top the list of deadliest spiders, if only for their storied venom. Native to Australia, these spiders boast venom that’s so potent their bite can kill within minutes. “The deadliest is probably the funnel-web spider and its relatives. The Sydney funnel web spider (Atrax robustus) can kill a toddler in about 5 minutes and a 5-year-old in about 2 hours,” Vetter told Live Science. Although no one has died from these spiders since the advent of antivenom in the 1980s, it is difficult to imagine a toddler receiving treatment soon enough to recover from a funnel-web bite.

Brazilian wandering spiders, sometimes known as a banana spiders (Phoneutria nigriventer), have the most neurologically active venom of any spider. (Image credit: Joao Paulo Burini via Getty Images)

Phoneutria spiders, the most common of which are often referred to as banana spiders or wandering spiders, are native to Brazil and have the most neurologically active venom of any spider. But they rank a bit lower on the list of the world’s deadliest spiders because their venom works relatively slowly, leaving ample time for treatment. And Loxosceles spiders, the most familiar of which is the brown recluse (L. reclusa) found in the U.S., may be one the most common causes of spider-related injuries, with painful bites that can cause body aches and fever and take months to fully resolve. But they are very rarely deadly. 

The only arachnid genus that gives the funnel-web a real run for its money as the deadliest spider is Latrodectus, which includes the Australian redback (Latrodectus hasselti) and the more familiar black widow spider in the U.S. These spiders have a slight edge because they bite humans more frequently than funnel-web spiders, with comparably potent venom. “The most venomous species (Sydney funnel-web spiders, Brazilian wandering spiders) don’t kill or impact that many people,” Linda Rayor (opens in new tab) , a behavioral ecologist at Cornell University who focuses on spiders, told Live Science in an email. “It is the more widely-distributed black widows that are going to be the stars of your story.”

It’s important to note that, while AAPCC’s annual reports (opens in new tab) carve out a section for spider bite statistics, it isn’t easy to get a real handle on spider bite mortality or morbidity. 

“A number of human deaths each year are attributed to spiders,” Rod Crawford (opens in new tab) , curator of arachnids at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington in Seattle, told Live Science in an email. “However, from a scientific viewpoint, almost none of these attributions are evidence-based.” 

It is exceedingly rare, Crawford explained, for a victim to see a spider on their skin, feel a bite, capture that same spider, and then bring the offending spider to a physician (let alone a spider specialist) for analysis. “Practically all of the ‘spider bites’ you hear about, including those reported to poison centers originate from the belief that if you didn’t see what bit you, it was a spider,” Crawford said. 

Rayor echoed this sentiment. “I have spent a surprising amount of time trying to track down the human mortality rate from spiders and it is miniscule,” she said. “This isn’t reliably reported, but it is clear that not that many people get killed by spiders.”Related Mysteries—Is every spiderweb unique?

—What is the largest arachnid to ever live?

—Which animal kills the most people every year?

Keeping in mind the flawed nature of spider bite statistics, The Australian Museum (opens in new tab) claims that about 2,000 people are bitten by redback spiders each year, and that the antivenom to treat funnel-web spider bites has been given to about 100 patients since 1980. AAPCC’s annual report tracked about 3,500 spider bites in the U.S. in 2021, with about 40 “major” clinical outcomes. Nine of those serious outcomes were attributed to black widows; 29 major outcomes and the only death that year were attributed to brown recluses. There were no spider bite deaths in AAPCC’s 2020 report (opens in new tab) , which tracked seven “major” black widow bites and 23 “major” brown recluse bites.

This means that the deadliest spiders are, in fact, not very deadly. “True human spider bites of any kind — dangerous or harmless — are vanishingly rare,” Crawford said. “Take me as an example: Over a long career I have handled tens of thousands of live spiders with my bare hands. Only 3 actual bites resulted; none of the 3 had any significant effect. So when people tell me spiders crawl into their beds at night and bite them while they are asleep, I just roll my eyes.”

Vetter agreed. “In reality, spiders are way down the list of things to be concerned about.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Politics

Bitcoin rallies with DeFi as Zcash tops weekly performance: Finance Redefined

Published

1 hour ago

on

October 3, 2025

By

Bitcoin rallies with DeFi as Zcash tops weekly performance: Finance Redefined

Bitcoin rallies with DeFi as Zcash tops weekly performance: Finance Redefined

Analysts were eying a “quick” Bitcoin breakout to $150,000, as ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood compared the Hyperliquid token’s performance to Solana during the previous crypto cycle.

Continue Reading

Environment

Rad Power offers $200 discount and up to $210 in FREE bundled gear on e-bikes from $1,399, Exclusive Anker S340 solar cam low, more

Published

1 hour ago

on

October 3, 2025

By

Rad Power offers 0 discount and up to 0 in FREE bundled gear on e-bikes from ,399, Exclusive Anker S340 solar cam low, more

It’s another EV-heavy day of Green Deals, headlined by Rad Power’s newly launched Haul-o-ween Sale that is taking $200 off one e-bike, while offering up to $210 in FREE bundled gear with several other new and legacy models, like the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike and the Radster Road Commuter e-bike getting a $199 free cargo kit for $1,999, while other deals start from $1,399. We also secured up to $280 in exclusive savings on nine Anker eufy security devices, like the SoloCam S340 Solar Security Camera at a new $110 low. We also have new low prices on Heybike’s Hero Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bikes starting from $2,099, an Autel 40A level 2 smart EV charger discount, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive new Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 (HomePower 3000) low price, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Tested: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 portable power station brings ample support in a smaller and lighter unit

Anker is hands-down one of the most well-known tech accessory brands with an extensive lineup of consumer electronics, and its SOLIX sub-brand has making waves in the  portable backup power solution space. Its C1000 power station made big waves when it first hit the market in 2023, quickly becoming a popular charging solution for camping and other outdoor activities, in particular. Now, two years later, the Anker has introduced its SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, which I was lucky enough to snag and test out, and which I believe will outshine its predecessor in the long run. Head below to get my hands-on impressions of this all-new solar generator.

To get our full hands-on impression of this new portable backup power solution, be sure to check out our review here.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

man and woman riding Rad Power Radster Trail e-bikes through forest

Rad Power’s Haul-o-ween Sale offers up to $210 in FREE cargo or starter gear with new and legacy e-bikes starting from $1,399

Rad Power Bikes has launched its Haul-o-ween Sale, with a $200 discount on its RadRover 6 Plus e-bike, as well as several other models (new and legacy) getting up to $210 in FREE bundle kits and accessories. Amongst the models seeing bundles attached, you’ll find the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike getting a free $199 cargo kit at $1,999 shipped, with its Radster Road Commuter e-bike sibling getting the same kit for $1,999 shipped too. Just be sure to add the e-bikes and the cargo kits (all from the same landing pages) to your cart for the discount to automatically be applied. Originally going for $2,199 at full price since their release in March, we saw the brand officially drop prices to these rates mid-August, with the deals here giving you the continued lowest tracked prices alongside the free gear. Head below to learn more and browse the full lineup of deals while the sale lasts.

The stylish new Radster Trail and Radster Road e-bikes are very similar in their overall designs, with slight differences based on where you plan to spend most of your time riding – down streets or through trails and other off-road areas. They both come boasting 100Nm torque-producing 750W rear hub motors with 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated batteries powering them. This combination provides you with up to 65+ miles of pedal-assisted travel (supported by a torque sensor) at up to 20/28 MPH top speeds, depending on state-specific laws. Among the other shared features, you’ll be gaining hydraulic disc brakes, hydraulic suspension forks, auto-on headlights, brake-activated taillights, turn signaling functionality, rear cargo racks, a color display with a Type-C port, and more.

There are also the shared smart features here, which include passcode locking, an included security fob, and more. Where these models differ, as you may already be able to guess, is mainly in their tires. The Trail model bringing along 27.5-inch by 3-inch Kenda Havoc puncture-resistant tires for your off-roading fun, while the Road model has been equipped with 29-inch by 2.2-inch Kenda Kwik puncture-resistant tires, as well as some differing fender/handlebar designs too.

Rad Power Bikes Haul-o-ween discounts:

Rad Power Bikes Haul-o-ween bundle/accessory deals:

  • RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike: $1,499 (No price cut)
    • 20 MPH for up to 55+ miles
    • gets FREE $210 starter kit (added on landing page)
  • RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,799 (No price cut)
  • RadRunner Plus Cargo Utility e-bike: $1,799 (No price cut)
    • 20 MPH for up to 55+ miles
    • gets FREE $210 starter kit (added on landing page)
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (No price cut)
    • 20/28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with FREE $199 cargo kit (added on landing page)
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (No price cut)
    • 20/28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with FREE $199 cargo kit (added on landing page)
  • RadRunner Max Cargo Utility e-bike: $2,299 (No price cut)
    • 20/28 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • gets FREE $210 starter kit (added on landing page)
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399 (No price cut)
Anker eufy SoloCam S340 solar security camera with solar panel attached to house

Upgrade your security with up to $280 in exclusive savings on Anker eufy cameras and smart locks at new lows from $70

We’ve secured quite the lineup of exclusive deals for our readers from Wellbots on Anker eufy security devices, with most at new low prices, like the SoloCam S340 Solar Security Camera at $109.99 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5EUF90 at checkout. Normally, this model runs for $200 at full price, which we’ve seen drop as low as $123 this year, while last year saw things fall lower to $120 during Cyber Monday sales. While these exclusive savings last, you’ll be getting $90 taken off the tag, landing it at a new all-time low price. Head below to learn more about this device and the others benefiting from exclusive discounts.

If you want to learn more about this camera, as well as browse the full lineup of deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of all the exclusive security savings here.

man on Heybike Hero e-bike atop mountainous terrain

Heybike’s premium Hero carbon fiber mid-drive and rear hub all-terrain e-bikes at new lows from $2,099

As part of its ongoing Prime Fall e-bike Sale, which has given us new low prices on the ALPHA all-terrain and Hauler cargo e-bikes, Heybike has also dropped the price lower-than-ever on its Hero Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bikes too. You can find the 1,000W rear hub model down at $2,099 shipped, while its upgraded 750W mid-drive model is sitting at $2,299 shipped. These are some of the brand’s higher-end EVs, which normally go for $2,599 and $3,099 at full price, and which have mostly received $100 to $300 discounts over the year, save for select events, like its anniversary sale, where we saw things go lower to $2,199 and $2,499. Now the savings are bigger and better than ever, as the $500 and $800 markdowns here land the costs at new all-time low prices.

If you want to learn more about these two e-bikes, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man charging vehicle with Autel EV charger

Bring home Autel’s 40A MaxiCharger AC Lite level 2 EV charging station with an AI voice assistant for $379

Through its official Amazon storefront, Autel is dropping costs on its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 40A Smart AI Level 2 EV Charger to $379 shipped in both colorway options. This is an at-home charging solution that normally runs for $470 at full price, with regular discounts to $399 over the year, and only one-time falls to $376 and the $352 low, which appeared back during Memorial Day sales. You can pick it up here at only $3 more than July’s Prime Day rate, saving you $91 off the going rate for the third-lowest price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this EV charging station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here, while its 50A counterpart can be found at $455 here.

Review: Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike is a rugged off-roader with plenty of suspension and hidden punch

When it comes to e-bikes, most people’s immediate thought is a commuter model designed to get you through streets to your various destinations, but with Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike, the fun is extended (and primarily focused) to off-road adventures, and boy, does this baby have some go in it. It’s been over two years since we reviewed the Revv1 FS counterpart, which we came away quite impressed with its SUPER73-like design. Now we’re heading off the beaten path with this newer off-road variant, which boasts improved specs that outshine its predecessors in the series.

To get our full hands-on impression of this e-bike, be sure to check out our review here.

anker solix early prime day power station sale
ecoflow early prime day power station sale
jackery Early Prime Day Power Station Sale

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


Add Electrek as a preferred source on Google
Add Electrek as a preferred source on Google

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Nissan LEAF hit with a big recall, more than 19,000 vehicles affected

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 3, 2025

By

Nissan LEAF hit with a big recall, more than 19,000 vehicles affected

Nissan-LEAF-Recall-19,000

It’s a good thing the new 2026 LEAF should be here any day. The recall affects over 19,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles, model years 2021-2022, because the battery may overheat during fast charging. Here’s the fix.

Nissan LEAF recall impacts 19,000+ vehicles

Nissan’s OG, the LEAF, has been hit with yet another recall. In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 2, Nissan announced a recall of 19,077 LEAF models from 2021 to 2022.

The recall only affects models that are equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. Nissan said the battery may overheat during fast charging.

After an investigation, Nissan found that LEAF models built between November 3, 2020, and May 23, 2022, at its Smyrna Assembly plant, may have an issue with excessive lithium deposits within the battery cells. If that happens, the increased electrical resistance can cause the battery to overheat or catch fire during Level 3 charging.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Nissan is preparing a software update to fix the issue. Once it’s ready, Nissan said owners of affected vehicles will be notified with an “Invitation to Repair Owner” letter, which will include further instructions.

Nissan-LEAF-recall-19,000
2025 Nissan LEAF (Source Nissan)

The letters are expected to be mailed out, starting on October 24, 2025. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Until it’s ready, Nissan is urging owners not to use Level 3 quick charging.

For those with LEAF models that are no longer under warranty, Nissan will include instructions in the owner notification letters concerning reimbursement.

Nissan-LEAF-recall-19,000
2025 Nissan LEAF (Source Nissan)

Owners can contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan’s recall number is R25C8. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the nhtsa.gov website for more information.

Nissan-new-LEAF-EV
2026 Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan

The outgoing LEAF has had several major recalls now, but the third-generation model, set to hit dealerships any day now, promises to fix some of its biggest issues.

Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF has “the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. It also has a fresh, new crossover SUV-like design, over 300 miles of driving range, and an NACS port (finally) to access Tesla Superchargers.

While Nissan focuses on the new LEAF, its electric SUV, the Ariya, will not be offered in the US for the 2026 model year.


Add Electrek as a preferred source on Google
Add Electrek as a preferred source on Google

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending