Man Killed By Pet Spider - Devoured By Menagerie of Other Pets

The reptiles were allowed to roam free in the flat.

The heating elements on two tanks containing spiders and their termite snacks had exploded and dislodged the metal tops allowing them to escape.

.. this is in an apartment building. I see vacancies in their future.

Who the @!$%# has a pet black widow!? Personally, when I see something 1/300th my size that can kill me with a bite, I tend to stay away, not make it a pet.

I guess they were too far away from the burger king or the supermarkets to grab a bite to eat. ;).

Et tu, Helmut? Just curious--how did they know the names? It does seem like cosmic justice though--mother nature saying, umm...no, you can't tame me.

Natural selection at work.

Termites eat dead humans now? i thought they ate wood.

How long before there is a CSI episode about that, except the jealous wife/lover/bug supplier/ set the spider loose on purpose.

One time I saw a black widow spider and I immediately ran the other way. I can't believe anyone would keep them for a pet.

I've heard that typically black widow bites are not fatal, but they do induce sever reactions, such as painful spasms. You're supposed to have plenty of time to get anti-venom, and sometimes you don't need it. I wonder what happened to where he couldn't get help?

Maybe a mass revolution against a vile taskmaster?

I've heard that typically black widow bites are not fatal, but they do induce sever reactions, such as painful spasms.

True. It's certainly not instantaneous.

I've killed a few in my time.

That is one of the most messed up stories I've ever read. I'm so glad I had the chance to enlighten myself with that. /sarcasm :-)

Seriously, who does that? He seems a prime candidate for the Darwin Award, if you ask me.

I thought black widow bites were supposed to be painful, but not always deadly?

Lived by the insects, died by the insects, dined by the insects.

RIP, my friend.

How sad is it that a 30year old man can be dead in his apartment for 1-2 weeks without anyone missing him? And yea.. I agree with Chum.. where did they get the alleged names? Creepy.

*LOL!* I can't imagine why one would want to spray the house with insecticide... ;-) Though I agree with I think it was Enigma. Who in their right mind owns a black widow as a pet? That's just crazy. Not me thank you! I hate creepy crawlies of any kind and if my husband even tried to have a pet spider, it would die an untimely death the minute his back was turned. ;-)

I got bit by a brown recluse once and it left a nasty mark on my leg (actually flesh just started falling out from the wound marks) but I didn't die from it (or maybe I did and I'm just...just a Zombie!...who can type 150 wpm).

I like snakes and would love one as a pet, but here's the deal among most snakes and insects...they don't look at you as the affectionate caretaker like say, a dog would. so I don't own one and just marvel at them in zoos...and occasionally my yard.

I may never sleep again.

Anyone recall a crummy scifi movie -- pre-1998 -- about a plane crash that causes thousands of spiders to go beserk and attack people???
Can't find title of it. Anyway, this story called that old movie to mind. Saw it on Sci-Fi Theatre, I believe, the one where there's an alien and a robot (?) in a movie theatre at the beginning of movie.

Had one of these in my back yard a couple months ago. I killed it with my booted foot and continued gardening. They are not fun but they aren't that likely to kill you as a healthy adult. I destroyed egg sacks too near it but I think one got away because little over a week ago I acquired two bites that swelled up to huge fist sized knots on my leg but went away after 4 or 5 days on their own. My leg cramped pretty bad off and on first day and I was dizzy if I looked up so it's possible it was a black widow bite, whatever it was certainly wasn't pleasant. The marks are still there but doesn't even itch anymore.

I work for doctors but for some reason I hate going to see one :)

And... I'm never sleeping again.

Ever.

I'm serious.

As I live in a country full of creepy crawlies, snakes, mosquitoes (dengue, malaria) even a poisonous frog that can kill, the story is not so shocking. We use Baygon in the house, but what the hell do you use in the garden?

I hate when you read articles like this or watch something on TV you start looking around and itching yourself 'cause it feels like somethings on you...

crap whats that over there...

While black widow spider bites aren't generally lethal, depending on who is bitten, some people have adverse reactions from the bite several months later. Black widows tend to stay in dark places which necessitates caution when blindly reaching into any dark place.

Amazing the creatures that inhabit our earth with us. There are spiders in Australia that are many, many times more venomous than the black widow and kill several people each year and as human habitation creeps further and further into the wilderness, more and more people will have problems.

Oh....let me add....
Did you know that we all EAT spiders in our sleep---supposidly over 300 EVERY YEAR? That might be why we have that bad taste in our mouths when we wake up!!!! I know..disgusting....;) I about died when my cousin filled me in on that. I thought he was yanking my chain...but it is supposedly...true. All I want to know ..who is counting if that would be the case...really? Did a number of people lay in beds for a year and the scientists watch them eat them one by one....and they woke up to say..."Oh...let me volunteer again!" "Yes, sir..you ate....1,2,3...10 this week. Let's see how many you eat next week."

I was looking up termites and this is the story I got. A man eaten alive by his pet's meal..which were t be the termites. Instead they ate HIM. I am for sure making sure the exterminator sprays--as I am trying to kill whatever is out there on my house right now!!!!