Why does a spider bite people?

Spiders do not usually bite people unless they feel threatened or provoked. Spider bites mostly occur when a person accidentally comes in contact with a spider or its web, causing it to feel disturbed or trapped. Here are a few reasons why a spider might bite a person:

1. Self-defense: Spiders bite as a means of self-defense when they perceive a threat to their safety. If you inadvertently step on a spider, touch it, or corner it, it may bite you in an attempt to protect itself.

2. Encroachment on habitat: Some spiders may bite if their habitat is disturbed, such as when you move or remove objects from their webs or their hiding spots.

3. Mistaken identity: In rare cases, spiders might mistake a human hand or finger for a potential prey item. This is more common with aggressive hunting spiders, such as jumping spiders or wolf spiders, which may bite if they mistake your movements for those of an insect.

4. Curiosity: Some curious spider species may bite out of sheer curiosity to investigate an object or a person. However, these bites are usually not venomous.

5. Mating behavior: During the mating season, male spiders may display territorial or aggressive behavior, which could lead to bites if they feel threatened or disturbed by human presence.

It's important to remember that most spider bites are not life-threatening and do not require medical treatment. However, some species, such as the black widow spider, brown recluse spider, or Sydney funnel-web spider, have venomous bites that can cause significant health issues.