The Brazilian Wandering spider is a type of spider from the Phoneutria group. Even though they’re called “Brazilian,” not all of them come from Brazil. They’re known for having strong venom. In this post, we’ll share cool facts about these spiders and help you understand them better.
| Phoneutria bahiensis | Phoneutria boliviensis | Phoneutria eickstedtae |
| Phoneutria fera | Phoneutria keyserlingi | Phoneutria nigriventer |
| Phoneutria pertyi | Phoneutria reidyi | Phoneutria depilata |
They are safely placed in a silken sac and the female spiders of this genus are known to lay about 1000 of them in her lifetime.
They remain with their mother for some time after which they disperse to be on their own. The juvenile spiders are known to consume pin crickets as well as non-volatile fruit flies for their diet.
The spiders of this genus do not build webs but walk on the jungle floor, on the lookout for their prey.
Yes, Brazilian Wandering Spiders have strong venom. They use it to catch their food. It’s one of the reasons they’re pretty famous.
Yes, they can bite. While they don’t always want to, they might if they feel scared or threatened by something.
It has been reported that the bite of species belonging to this genus may result in the victim’s death within one hour after the venom enters the person’s body. However, with effective anti-venom being introduced for treatment in Brazil to combat the toxic effects of these spiders, the incidence of fatalities has been less. In fact, most studies show that death mostly occurs in children below seven years of age. Of all the eight species, P. nigriventer, followed by P. fera, is said to account for most venom intoxications in Brazil.
The Brazilian Wandering Spider, scientifically known as Phoneutria, stands out not just because of its reputation as one of the world’s most venomous spiders, but also due to its ecological significance and unique behavior.
Natural Predator: Despite their fearsome reputation, Brazilian Wandering Spiders are not at the top of the food chain. They fall prey to larger animals and birds. Among their predators are the coatis, certain species of large spiders, and a variety of avian predators.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The dynamic between the Brazilian Wandering Spider and its prey is a showcase of nature’s balance. While they are efficient hunters, specializing in ambushing their prey, their own survival is constantly under threat from their predators. This cycle ensures that no one species dominates the ecosystem and that biodiversity thrives.
Relationship with Humans: The relationship between humans and the Brazilian Wandering Spider is one of respect and caution. Their venom is potent and can be harmful to humans, although fatal encounters are rare.
| Other names | Armed spiders, banana spiders |
| Distribution | Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador |
| Habitat | Jungle floors in the wild, and also in dark, dingy places like cars, log piles, boxes, and clothes, |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years |
| Diet | Insects, mice, reptiles, small amphibians as well as other spiders |
| Predators | Wasps like a tarantula hawk |
The Brazilian Wandering spider is a type of spider from the Phoneutria group. Even though they’re called “Brazilian,” not all of them come from Brazil. They’re known for having strong venom. In this post, we’ll share cool facts about these spiders and help you understand them better.
| Phoneutria bahiensis | Phoneutria boliviensis | Phoneutria eickstedtae |
| Phoneutria fera | Phoneutria keyserlingi | Phoneutria nigriventer |
| Phoneutria pertyi | Phoneutria reidyi | Phoneutria depilata |
They are safely placed in a silken sac and the female spiders of this genus are known to lay about 1000 of them in her lifetime.
They remain with their mother for some time after which they disperse to be on their own. The juvenile spiders are known to consume pin crickets as well as non-volatile fruit flies for their diet.
The spiders of this genus do not build webs but walk on the jungle floor, on the lookout for their prey.
Yes, Brazilian Wandering Spiders have strong venom. They use it to catch their food. It’s one of the reasons they’re pretty famous.
Yes, they can bite. While they don’t always want to, they might if they feel scared or threatened by something.
It has been reported that the bite of species belonging to this genus may result in the victim’s death within one hour after the venom enters the person’s body. However, with effective anti-venom being introduced for treatment in Brazil to combat the toxic effects of these spiders, the incidence of fatalities has been less. In fact, most studies show that death mostly occurs in children below seven years of age. Of all the eight species, P. nigriventer, followed by P. fera, is said to account for most venom intoxications in Brazil.
The Brazilian Wandering Spider, scientifically known as Phoneutria, stands out not just because of its reputation as one of the world’s most venomous spiders, but also due to its ecological significance and unique behavior.
Natural Predator: Despite their fearsome reputation, Brazilian Wandering Spiders are not at the top of the food chain. They fall prey to larger animals and birds. Among their predators are the coatis, certain species of large spiders, and a variety of avian predators.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The dynamic between the Brazilian Wandering Spider and its prey is a showcase of nature’s balance. While they are efficient hunters, specializing in ambushing their prey, their own survival is constantly under threat from their predators. This cycle ensures that no one species dominates the ecosystem and that biodiversity thrives.
Relationship with Humans: The relationship between humans and the Brazilian Wandering Spider is one of respect and caution. Their venom is potent and can be harmful to humans, although fatal encounters are rare.
| Other names | Armed spiders, banana spiders |
| Distribution | Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador |
| Habitat | Jungle floors in the wild, and also in dark, dingy places like cars, log piles, boxes, and clothes, |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years |
| Diet | Insects, mice, reptiles, small amphibians as well as other spiders |
| Predators | Wasps like a tarantula hawk |
Mumpi Ghosh on August 15, 2019.
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