What's the most deadly spider? Take the arachnid quiz!

CORRECT ANSWERS: 0

Just how dangerous is a spider bite? Are some arachnids more deadly than others? What are the symptoms of a harmful spider bite? Take this quiz to test your knowledge about all things spider!

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Question 2 of 21

The recluse spider is also called the _________.

drumback
fiddleback
saxback
trumpetback

... A recluse spider has a violin-shaped mark on its head and thorax. The ease of identifying a spider by such a marking depends upon the exact species and how recently molting has occurred.

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Question 3 of 21

Spiders do not stick to their own webs because ____________.

the entire web is not sticky
they have oil glands on their legs
they walk on tiptoe

... Although not all spiders have sticky webs, those that do simply avoid the sticky areas where the "glue" has been placed. Even if they walk on sticky strands they can release themselves quite easily, because the "glue" is placed to capture fast-moving creatures, such as insects in flight.

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Question 4 of 21

Most spiders have two different types of __________.

circulatory systems
endocrine systems
reproductive systems
respiratory systems

... Most spiders have both a trachea and book lungs for respiratory function -- they provide oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange through the process of diffusion.

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Question 5 of 21

When used in the animal kingdom, what is the difference between the terms "poisonous" and "venomous?"

"Poisonous" means dangerous if ingested.
"Poisonous" means dangerous if injected.
"Venomous" means dangerous if touched.
They are interchangeable terms.

... An animal that is poisonous would be dangerous if you ate it. A venomous animal, such as a spider, will inject a poison.

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Question 6 of 21

The scientifically named "Tegenaria agrestis" became commonly referred to as the "hobo spider" because it was believed it __________.

carried tiny silk sacs containing its prey
fed from other spiders' webs
traveled by rail
wandered from place to place

... It had been thought that the "Tegenaria agrestis" spread as a species by hopping on train cars.

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Question 7 of 21

The spider species that has caused the most human fatalities is the __________.

black widow
brown recluse
southern tarantula
Sydney funnel-web spider

... Although the Australian-dwelling funnel-web spider has the reputation of having caused the most deaths, there have been no reported fatalities since 1980, when an antivenin for the creature was developed.

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Question 8 of 21

The best way to identify the venomous hobo spider is through its ___________.

anatomy
coloration
size
web

... Without a microscope, it is very difficult to identify a hobo spider with a high degree of accuracy. Their size and coloration vary greatly, and many species of spiders build funnel-shaped webs. By using a hand lens to study the anatomy of a spider, it might be possible to identify an arachnid as a hobo spider, or, at least, to rule it out.

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Question 9 of 21

If a brown recluse spider bites a human, what symptom may occur?

stinging
tissue death at the affected area
vomiting
all of the above

... People react differently to brown recluse bites. It depends upon individual sensitivity and the amount of venom received. Stinging, vomiting and tissue death are all possible. Symptoms vary greatly overall, ranging from no effect to systemic reactions to -- a very seldom occurrence -- death. Although most bites heal cleanly, some leave ulcerations that take weeks or months to clear up, leaving scars.

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Question 10 of 21

Black widow spiders are usually found in __________.

grassy areas
houses
outdoor structures
trees

... Black widows generally spin their webs between sections of outdoor structures such as woodpiles, stone walls, fences, privies and sheds.

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Question 11 of 21

Some sources consider the Brazilian wandering spider the most dangerous because of its _________.

attack style
camouflage ability
skills in mimicry
venom quantity

... The Brazilian wandering spider can inject a relatively large amount of venom: between 1 and 2 milligrams.

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Question 12 of 21

A spider's circulatory system is ________.

bifurcated
closed
one-way
open

... A spider has an open circulatory system, where the heart supplies blood (and, therefore, nutrients and oxygen) by pumping it out and surrounding the organs.

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Question 13 of 21

The venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider is a neurotoxin that causes nerve cells to ____________.

explode
fire relentlessly
reproduce sporadically
stop firing

... Once the venom is circulating in the blood, the poison makes nerve cells fire ceaselessly, causing severe pain at the location of the bite within half an hour.

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Question 14 of 21

The sensory system that works best for most spiders is ___________.

sight
smell
taste
touch

... Most spiders have an excellent sense of touch; they are covered in fine hairs that transfer vibrations from wherever they are perched.

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Question 15 of 21

If bitten by a black widow spider, a pregnant woman might ________.

begin contractions
develop toxemia
suffer a miscarriage
There is no additional danger for a pregnant woman.

... It is possible for the severe bite of a black widow spider to induce contractions and cause premature labor.

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Question 16 of 21

Research is underway to study the medicinal use of Brazilian wandering spider venom for __________.

anesthetic
epilepsy
erectile dysfunction
Parkinson's disease

... In men, the venom can cause pain, high blood pressure and increased blood flow in certain appendages, so it may be an ED treatment possibility.

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Question 17 of 21

Hobo spider bites come more often from _________.

females
males
There is no difference in the rates of male and female bites.

... Male hobo spiders are more likely to encounter humans and bite.

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Question 18 of 21

The Brazilian wandering spider is identifiable by its _________.

abdominal markings
leg length
red hair
tiny hiking stick

... Red hairs cover the necks of Brazilian wandering spiders.

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Question 19 of 21

When bitten by a black widow spider, pain usually begins at the bite and then extends to the ____________.

arms and legs
hands and feet
head
stomach

... In a serious bite, pain usually extends from the puncture site to the stomach and back. Stomach muscles in particular might become severely constricted or cramped.

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Question 20 of 21

About how many spider species have been identified?

1,000
9,000
40,000
80,000

... Although there may be more that have yet to be identified, scientists are aware of about 40,000 different species of spiders.

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Question 21 of 21

The Sydney funnel-web spider is more dangerous than the brown recluse or black widow because ________.

funnel-web spider venom attacks the central nervous system
the funnel-web spider is less skittish
funnel-web spiders often attack in swarms
the venom of the funnel-web spider is more concentrated

... Unlike the brown recluse or black widow, the funnel-web spider will not run away if it feels endangered; it will attack.

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