FACT CHECK #MZ1H-2SZ

WHAT WE FOUND

The claim that humans swallow an average of eight spiders per year is false 1 4 6. High credibility sources and experts categorize this as a pervasive urban legend that has no basis in scientific fact 2 5 9. Biological evidence directly contradicts the claim because a sleeping human's vibrations, heartbeat, and breathing are naturally repellent to spiders 1 3. Arachnologists note that spiders are highly sensitive to movement and would perceive a human mouth as a dangerous environment rather than a place to enter 11. Additionally, the sensation of a spider crawling on the face would likely trigger a physical reaction or wake the sleeper 1. While this myth has become deeply ingrained in popular culture and the internet, there is no verified evidence or research to support it 7 9 11.

SOURCES

1. 1 · snopes.comFACT-CHECKER
   Do People Swallow Eight Spiders Per Year? - Snopes.com

   TIER A

2. 2 · scholars.duke.eduACADEMIC
   Believing that Humans Swallow Spiders in Their Sleep

   TIER A

3. 3 · unmc.eduACADEMIC
   Is it true that you sometimes swallow spiders in your sleep? - UNMC

   TIER A

4. 4 · reconnectwithnature.orgACADEMIC
   Myth buster: We don't really swallow eight spiders a year while ...

   TIER A

5. 5 · burkemuseum.orgACADEMIC
   Myth: You swallow spiders in your sleep - Burke Museum

   TIER A

6. 6 · bbc.comNEWS
   Do people really swallow spiders in their sleep? - BBC

   TIER A

7. 7 · britannica.comWEB
   Do We Really Swallow Spiders In Our Sleep? - Britannica

   TIER B

8. 8 · scientificamerican.comWEB
   Fact or Fiction? People Swallow 8 Spiders a Year While They Sleep

   TIER B

9. 9 · sleepfoundation.orgWEB
   How Many Spiders Do You Eat In Your Sleep? - Sleep Foundation

   TIER B

10. 10 · washingtonpost.comWEB
    Is it true that you sometimes swallow spiders in your sleep?

    TIER B

11. 11 · discovermagazine.comWEB
    Humans Don't Eat 8 Spiders Per Year in Their Sleep

    TIER B

THE READING