Poisonous spider MkII

[henryman]

...but if you swallowed a poisonous spider, wouldnt you digest it's poison and ultimatley die?

[becks]

Why are you so worried? Have you eaten a spider or live in Oz? Cos the chances of swallowing a poisonous spider in the UK are virtually nil... If you have eaten one you're still alive! yay!

[robber1]

What a good question! I dont know a definate answer, but maybe if the spider enters our digestive system , our acids would nullify the poison. Whereas, if poisoned by the spider, the venom would enter the bloodstream directly. Just a reasoned thought.

[Ashley]

Totally agree with robber1- great question! Obviously a theoretical point as the spider would bite you before it got close to the stomach. I would guess that you wouldn't be affected by the poison because it would mix in with the stomach acids which would dilute it by quite a fair amount before it enters the blood stream. A bite from a spider probably delivers a large dose in one go, rather than a long drawn out attack. Im going with a non-fatal answer.

[New Forester]

Most animal poisons are proteins, which are usually digested along with the protein of muscle etc. But you need to be careful -- it could bite on the way down, or the toxin could get into your blood through a scratch inside your mouth or wherever. Incidentally, all spiders are poisonous -- it's just the strength of the poison and the size of the fangs which varies. There is I think just one UK species which can get through human skin, and can make you feel ill for a day or two (though I was bitten by one once, through the thick skin of my palm, and I felt fine). If in doubt, swallow a bird, quick.