Yes, black widows are poisonous. However, the term "venomous" is more accurate in describing how they deliver their toxin.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Poisonous vs. Venomous: While often used interchangeably, "poisonous" refers to toxins that are ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. "Venomous" describes toxins that are injected, like through a spider's fangs.
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Black Widow Venom: Black widows produce a potent venom that affects the nervous system.
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Effects on Humans: While a black widow bite can be extremely painful and cause symptoms like muscle cramps, nausea, and difficulty breathing, it is rarely fatal to humans, especially adults. Children and the elderly are at higher risk of serious complications.
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Black Widow Behavior: Black widows are generally not aggressive and only bite when threatened or disturbed. Male black widows are even less commonly encountered by humans.
In summary, black widows possess venom that can cause significant, though rarely fatal, reactions in humans. It's more accurate to call them venomous rather than poisonous.
