Spider Myth Research Paper

Spiders really get a bad rap with most people, one that they just don 't deserve. Sure they 're a little bit freaky: anything with eight legs and a dazzling array of eyes triggers off a revulsion sense in most people. However there are a wide range of weird and inaccurate spider myths that paint these critters in a bad light. Debunking these myths should help you feel a little more comfort in their presence.

Myth: Spiders are Aggressive Biters

Reality: When many people see spiders crawling in their home, their first instinct is to fear getting bitten. After all, waking up with what appears to be spider marks on the skin is a common occurrence for many people. And spiders, such as the black widow and brown recluse, are notoriously

Most spider bites occur when the spider is surprised or pressed into self defense: not as they casually waltz across your body at night. Those so-called spider bites you wake up with every night? Most likely fleas or other blood sucking parasites.

Myth: People Swallow Spiders While Sleeping

Reality: Just about everybody has heard the old myth about how they swallow eight or more spiders while they sleep every night. This myth revolves states that spiders mistake the mouth for a safe enclosure, crawl inside for protection, and are invariably swallowed.

However, this myth is busted when you consider the delicate sensibilities of the spider. The sound and vibrations of our night breathing triggers the "dangerous" instinct in spiders and drives them away. Beyond that, it also ignores the fact that most people would probably wake up with the sensation of a spider crawling across their face, let alone snuggling up in their mouth.

Myth: Daddy Longleg Spiders are Extremely Poisonous

Reality: One of the most prevalent spider myths reported in recent years revolves around the relatively thin and frail daddy longleg spiders and their supposed dangerousness. This myth states that they are actually the most poisonous spiders on the planet. But thankfully, their fangs are much too short to penetrate human skin, keeping us