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Phoneutria nigriventer

Phoneutria nigriventer is a spider endemic to South America. It is commonly referred to as a “Brazilian wandering spider” – a name shared with several others in its genus.

Phoneutria nigriventer

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: 5 cm

Color: They have a brown body.

Other Characteristic Features: If these spiders feel threatened, they will raise their first two pairs of limbs as a warning.

Eggs

After mating, around 100 eggs are laid inside a sac made of webbing.

Spiderlings

Once the juveniles are old enough to leave the sac, they become capable of hunting prey by themselves. They will frequently molt until they reach adulthood.

The Web

As wandering spiders, they do not construct webs to catch prey.

Is the Phoneutria nigriventer Venomous

While a bite from these spiders is not fatal, their venom causes several symptoms in humans. These include cardiac and pulmonary issues, long-lasting erections, and convulsions.

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-2 years
Distribution Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay
Habitat Commonly spotted in banana trees and foliage, also in urban environments.
Diet Bats, crickets, katydids, lizards, mantids, and tree frogs

Did You Know

  • Baltic German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling first described this species in 1891.
  • From 1942 to 1945, there were 415 recorded bites, out of which 400 required anti-venom. More recently, a 23-year-old worker in Sao Paulo was bitten while handling bananas, as well as a 52-year-old around a year later. Both recovered after treatment.

Image Source: live.staticflickr.com

Phoneutria nigriventer is a spider endemic to South America. It is commonly referred to as a “Brazilian wandering spider” – a name shared with several others in its genus.

Phoneutria nigriventer

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: 5 cm

Color: They have a brown body.

Other Characteristic Features: If these spiders feel threatened, they will raise their first two pairs of limbs as a warning.

Eggs

After mating, around 100 eggs are laid inside a sac made of webbing.

Spiderlings

Once the juveniles are old enough to leave the sac, they become capable of hunting prey by themselves. They will frequently molt until they reach adulthood.

The Web

As wandering spiders, they do not construct webs to catch prey.

Is the Phoneutria nigriventer Venomous

While a bite from these spiders is not fatal, their venom causes several symptoms in humans. These include cardiac and pulmonary issues, long-lasting erections, and convulsions.

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-2 years
Distribution Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay
Habitat Commonly spotted in banana trees and foliage, also in urban environments.
Diet Bats, crickets, katydids, lizards, mantids, and tree frogs

Did You Know

  • Baltic German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling first described this species in 1891.
  • From 1942 to 1945, there were 415 recorded bites, out of which 400 required anti-venom. More recently, a 23-year-old worker in Sao Paulo was bitten while handling bananas, as well as a 52-year-old around a year later. Both recovered after treatment.

Image Source: live.staticflickr.com

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