• Home
  • Info
  • Guide
  • Canary Islands Spiders Are Only Ferocious In The Newspapers
Tuesday, 11 August 2015 07:38

Canary Islands Spiders Are Only Ferocious In The Newspapers

False widow spider from the Canary Islands False widow spider from the Canary Islands Wikipedia

There's a spider living in Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands called the False Widow (Steodota nobilis). It never bites anyone local, but the British tabloid press makes it sound like a tarantula with a bad attitude.

The false widow is native to the Canary Islands and Madeira but has now spread from the Canaries to Germany, the USA and Britain (apparently by hitching a ride in bunches of bananas). Similar species live all over the world.

While the false widow is toxic, it rarely bites and when it does the bite is about as bad as a wasp sting. Occasionally someone has an allergic reaction and much worse symptoms but this is incredibly rare. The biggest danger seems to be that false widow bites can get infected.

False widows are shy and rarely bite and we've only ever seen a couple of them in Gran Canaria. They grow to 1.5 cm and make a small, messy web with a funnel in the centre. False widows like cool places like caves, quiet corridors, sealed rooms, etc. They are nocturnal and rarely move from their webs.

Alex says: Male false widows sing to the females by scraping their legs against their abdomens.

Press reports about spider bites in Gran Canaria and the Canary islands are strange as you never hear about locals getting bitten by false widows. We suspect that many of the ´spider bite' stories the UK press seems to love are actually caused by mosquito bites that get infected.

What to do if you get bitten in Gran Canaria

If you wake up with red bite marks in Gran Canaria, don't worry; In 99% of cases they are mosquito bites and harmless as the mozzies here don't carry any diseases. Just treat them with a calming lotion or take an anti-histamine if they swell up to anything bigger than a little finger nail. If your bites start to swell and the redness spreads, we recommend visiting a doctor just in case they are infected.

Spider bites in Gran Canaria are so rare that there aren't any official guidelines. If you do get bitten, try and catch the spider and put it in a jar. If the bite feels any worse than a wasp sting, then go to the doctor and take the spider with you. 

For more on the few dangers and annoyances of Gran Canaria, click here.

 

 

Published in Guide
Published in Guide
back to top

Gran Canaria Info recommends:

  • Default
  • Title
  • Date
  • Random

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Features

Gran Canaria info recommends

  • 1

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 5375 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.