Urban Legends

you cant lick your elbow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mHSF0RKZEs

yeah you can (at least some can)

BY KARA O’NEILL
As we enter spider mating season, we look at some of the eight-legged creatures you might bump into in Irish homes – and whether it’s worth running for the hills
With the spider mating season upon us, the creepy crawlies will leave their webs and venture indoors to find a partner.
And here’s a fact to make your skin crawl: there are over 370 species of spiders in Ireland – and all of them can bite.

Giant house spider

Measuring a size of 120mm, this critter is most common in the autumn months when the males leave their webs in search of females.

Often the spider you’re likely to find in the bath, they can run extremely fast, but only for a limited length of time before they have to stop to recover from their exhaustion.

These large spiders build sheet like webs and may be found in garages, sheds, attics and cavity walls where they are less likely to be disturbed.

Giant house spiders do possess a potent venom and can bite, but they do not usually pose a threat to humans.

How big are they? Big – 120mm

Are they harmful? Potentially, yes – but they’re not at all aggressive

Lace web spider

Usually found on outdoor walls and fencing, these spiders will retreat inside in the autumn months to find a mate.

Heavy rainfall can also force these spiders into the house, usually because they have been flooded out of their own home.

They generally grow to a size of around 20mm and are brown with yellow markings on the abdomen.

Be on your guard when you see one of these spiders, as they have been known to bite people in recent years.

Bites are reported to be painful but the symptoms usually just consist of localised swelling for around 12 hours.

How big are they? 20mm

Are they harmful? Yes – if they bite, you’ll know about it

False widow spider

Cited as Ireland’s most venomous spider the false widow already has a bad reputation .

The species, also known as Steatoda nobilis, usually has an overall size of 20mm and is characterised by a dark brown colour and a bulbous abdomen.

Adult female false widow spiders are known to have bitten humans, although they are not usually aggressive and attacks on people are rare and there are no reported UK deaths.

Symptoms of a bite can range from a numb sensation to severe swelling and discomfort.

In serious cases there can be various levels of burning or chest pains, which will depend on the amount of venom injected.

How big are they? 20mm

Are they harmful? In a word, yes

Cupboard spiders

Closely related to the false black widow, the Steatoda grossa is often mistaken because of its dark colour and similarly bulbous abdomen.

It usually grows to approximately 10mm in length and its appearance can vary slightly from purple to brown to black.

The female can lay egg sacs at least three times a year which typically contain between 40 – 100 eggs.

They have been known to bite humans, but are not usually agressive.

Although injuries are minor, symptoms can include blistering and generally feeling unwell – which can last a couple of days.

How big are they? Up to 12mm

Are they harmful? A bit – they don’t bite often, but when they do it hurts

Cardinal spider

The cardinal spider is the largest spider in the UK, growing to an overall length of 14cm in some cases.

Also known as Tegenaria parietina, it is known as the cardinal spider in Britain because of the legend that Cardinal Thomas Woolsey was terrified by this species at Hampton Court back in the 16th century.

Although they are mainly thought to be harmless to humans, these arachnids get a bad reputation because of their huge size, incredible speed and their nocturnal habits.

Bites from these spiders are rare, and painless.

How big are they? Very – 14cm

Are they harmful? No, they look much scarier than they actually are

Now lets see if you sleep :lol: