Banana wandering spider. The Brazilian wandering spider causes painful death from erection. Lethal dose of poison

The Brazilian wandering spider lives in the South and Central America. This one is big hairy spider considered the most poisonous spider in the world. Brazilian wandering spiders sometimes wander into settlements and are found among cargoes of tropical fruits, so it is useful to know their appearance and habits, especially if you find yourself in their habitat. If bitten by this spider, immediate medical attention is required. However, don't panic! Brazilian wandering spider bites are almost always treatable.

Steps

Appearance and habits of the Brazilian wandering spider

The length of the spider including its legs is approximately 15 centimeters. An adult Brazilian wandering spider has a body about 5 centimeters long. At a glance, it is easier to determine the total length, that is, the distance from the end of the hind legs to the end of the front legs, which reaches about 15 centimeters. Be careful if you come across such a large spider.

The spider will most likely be brown and hairy. Although the color of Brazilian wandering spiders varies, most are dirty brown, and some have black spot on the stomach. The body of all Brazilian wandering spiders is covered with hair.

Brazilian wandering spiders move quickly. They get their name from the fact that they move quickly on the ground of the rainforest. Spiders are capable of attacking their victims with lightning speed, so be careful if you come across a fast-moving spider in the range of the Brazilian wandering spider.

If the spider shows its red jaws, back away slowly. When the Brazilian wandering spider is frightened, it rises up on its hind legs. In this fearsome pose, some species of the Brazilian wandering spider display red hairs around their fangs. Such a defensive stance indicates that the spider is angry, in which case you should retreat carefully and slowly.

Don't hesitate trying to get a better look at the spider. If you're traveling in South and Central America or live where Brazilian wandering spiders are found, don't hesitate if you spot a large spider. If in any doubt, do not try to make sure that it is a Brazilian wandering spider, but slowly move away to avoid angering the animal.

• Don't try to catch the spider. If you suspect a Brazilian wandering spider has wandered into your home or utility room, call wildlife control and leave the building until experts arrive.

1. Be careful in dark places. Brazilian wandering spider leads night image life and skillfully hides in the forest floor of the tropical jungle. This “wandering” lifestyle sometimes leads to the spider wandering into populated areas, where it tries to hide from sunlight in secluded places, for example:

   • in dark closets, closets, etc.;
   • under sheds and in garages;
   • in cars;
   • in unused clothing, shoes, gloves;
   • in kitchen cabinets;
   • in boxes and crates in the attic or garage;
   • in firewood.

2. Be careful when opening fruit packages. This spider is also called a banana spider, as it loves to crawl into bananas and may end up in a package with these fruits. Although it is quite rare, be careful when unpacking fruits shipped from regions where the Brazilian wandering spider is found.

Preventing Bites

Wear protective gloves when working in dark areas or carrying firewood. If you live in the range of the Brazilian wandering spider, wear clothing with long sleeves, a hat and gloves, and tuck your pants legs into your socks when working in the garage or near firewood. It is advisable to use protective clothing also when working in the attic, utility room and basement.

If you haven't worn gloves, clothing or shoes in a while, shake them before use. The Brazilian wandering spider can hide in the folds of clothing and also crawl into cozy places such as gloves or boots. Shake clothing and shoes lightly before putting them on. However, don't shy away from them too much, or the hidden spider may become angry or scared.

• Don't panic if a spider falls out of your clothes or shoes. Slowly step aside and leave the room.

1. Check them before entering dark areas such as closets. Turn on the light. If there is no light in the room, take a flashlight with you and look in corners and cluttered areas.

   Install mosquito nets and doors that close tightly to prevent spiders from entering your home. The best way The key to avoiding being bitten in your own home is to keep spiders out of it! Check all mosquito nets and doors for any cracks or holes that could allow spiders to enter your home. Replace any broken or loose screens and doors.

   • So that they don't get into the house uninvited guests, you can also spray an insect and spider repellent around doors and windows.

2. Do not keep firewood near the house. Spiders love to hide among firewood, so don't keep them close to your home. Keep firewood and dead branches in the yard and handle them carefully.

Spiders are not very dangerous insects, but some of them pose a threat to people because they can bite through the skin and inject a toxic substance that causes non-fatal but unpleasant toxic poisoning human body. What is it - the most dangerous spider on the planet, where does it live and how dangerous is it to human life?

Why is a spider bite dangerous?

Spider (arachnoid) is a predatory insect, which nature has endowed with a special poisonous weapon. The secretion that insects secrete and then inject into their prey affects nervous system prey or contributes to the destruction of its tissues.

Even the largest and most dangerous spiders do not attack a person without reason. They may bite only in self-defense or in cases of immediate danger. The bite of a poisonous spider itself is not fatal, but Negative consequences this can only occur in situations where:

• delays in providing medical care;
• the human body is weakened due to illness;
• an allergic reaction to the poison occurs;
• bitten Small child or an elderly person.

According to statistics, 5% of the world's population suffers from a “fear of spiders” (arachnophobia), although there are no real reasons for such a phobia, since almost all poisonous individuals live in tropical climates or deserts. However, every traveler, going to another country, must imagine what animals or insects he may encounter and what needs to be done.

Brazilian wandering spider

Opens the list of the most dangerous arachnids for humans - Brazilian wandering spider(Phoneutria - from the Greek “killer”). Sometimes it is also called “banana” because of the love for eating these fruits. Officially (according to the Guinness Book of Records) it is the most poisonous spider on the planet.

The poison that he injects into the victim is a strong neurotoxin (they are 20 times more toxic than the toxin that the Black Widow secretes).

Signs of a Brazilian spider bite:

• problems with respiratory system, sometimes leading to suffocation;
• poor muscle control;
• severe pain in the muscles and the bite site;
• In men, the poison can cause an erection for many hours, which causes very strong painful sensations.

In nature, the Brazilian wandering spider lives in tropical jungle South America (mostly in Brazil). He spends his life wandering in search of food: he hunts other spiders, small birds and lizards. The size of its body is quite large (about 10 cm).

These spiders often live close to human habitation, can hide in clothing, and love to climb into fruit boxes, especially bananas. Therefore, the most common cases of people being bitten by them occur among collectors.

It is also unusual and dangerous that Brazilian spiders can travel around in banana packages. to the globe. One of the latest accidents occurred in the UK in 2016 with a man who bought fruit in a nearby supermarket and was attacked by such a spider.

Fortunately, a very effective antidote was developed several years ago, which can reduce the number of deaths after bites of such a spider.

Sydney leucopaweb (funnel web) spider

The second most dangerous and most unpleasant bully in the spider world is the Sydney funnel-web spider. It is considered a bully because when attacking a person, this insect tries to make as many bites as possible and inject more poison, although its effect is much weaker than other toxins.

In addition to this persistent nature, the Sydney funnel-web spider has very large fangs: long and sharp, like needles. It is believed that with such fangs he can easily bite through leather shoes and human nails. Moreover, males are 6 times more poisonous than females.

Signs of a bite that develop in a person (appear within a few seconds):

• muscle spasms;
• strong rapid heartbeat;
• confusion or loss of consciousness;
• brain tumor.

Without medical attention, death can occur within 15 minutes, but an effective antidote was created in 1981, so since then deaths not yet.

Brown recluse spider

Recluse spiders are also known by various names: Violin Spider, Violin Back Spider, and belong to the genus Loxosceles. Their size is only 2 cm, outwardly they are completely inconspicuous. Such insects are found in different countries, are very common in the eastern United States, where they even settle in houses local residents(in clothes or shoes), and in South America (Chile and other countries).

The venom of these spiders is of a necrotic type that destroys tissue. A recluse spider bite can cause a condition called loxoscelism, which in some cases results in the death of tissue in the bite area and the formation of a non-healing open wound, which can even lead to amputation. To treat such wounds, skin grafting is necessary.

Black Widow

The black widow is a family of spiders and a separate species (Latrodectus mactans), in the United States it is considered the most poisonous representative of arachnoids. It is famous for the fact that females sometimes eat their partners.

The North American black widow got its name from the color of its body, but on its abdomen there are red or orange spots. The size of spiders is small: about 4 cm, but their poison is very toxic; a bite can end in disaster for a person.

Such spiders pose a danger to children, weakened and elderly people, as well as allergy sufferers. Their poison causes severe muscle pain, increases blood pressure, pain in the lymph nodes, interrupted breathing, nausea and vomiting. Unpleasant symptoms may last up to 7 days.

The redback spider is also a member of the black widow family and is considered an iconic spider in Australia, easily identified by the red stripe on its back. It is smaller in size than the black widow and is less common.

However, in Australia, such spiders can live indoors and live in some areas of cities and suburbs in tropical zone climate. They have recently been spotted in Japan.

The red-backed spider is small in size: females are up to 10 mm long, males are 3 mm smaller. These insects are nocturnal, hiding in old sheds or under stones, among plants. They hunt other insects and small animals (mice, birds, lizards, beetles, etc.).

The consequences of a bite from such a spider appear only after a day, and they are very toxic: sharp pain and swelling of the bitten area, abdominal cramps, severe sweating. The most severe systemic condition, called “latrodectism” (50% of cases), can be fatal if an antidote injection is not used in time.

Karakurt

Karakurt is the most poisonous and most dangerous spider living in Russia in Astrakhan region, in Asian and European regions and Africa. He is one of the members of the black widow family. Due to climate change, karakurts began to appear even in the Moscow region.

One species, called the steppe widow, is black and decorated with 13 bright red spots on top. Its size is small: females are 1-2 cm long (more poisonous), males - up to 7 mm.

The most dangerous are sexually mature females of karakurt, whose venom is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. They pose a danger to some domestic animals (horses, cows, with the exception of sheep) and people. They bite only when pressed, often at night. summer time, and the bite is not painful, which is why people may not immediately pay attention to it.

The effect of the poison is manifested in muscle pain, paresthesia of the limbs, abdomen and chest. A strong fear of death appears, tears flow, the sick person cannot stand on his feet due to muscle weakness. Symptoms similar to the picture also occur acute abdomen: nausea, vomiting, fever. However, cramps and tremors of the limbs, breathing problems, confusion, and a sharp increase in blood pressure help determine an accurate diagnosis.

One of effective ways providing first aid: cauterizing the bitten area with a burning match, which has a destructive effect on the poison (if there is no medical help nearby), subsequent hospitalization is extremely necessary to prevent death.

Sand Spider

The six-eyed sand spider has 8 legs and 6 eyes and lives in deserts South Africa and in western South America. His scientific Latin name Sicarius translates to "killer". By nature, he is a hunter who waits for a long time for his prey (other spiders and scorpions), buried in the sand. When prey runs past, it attacks - it bites it, and within a few hours the insect or animal dies. Its size is about 5 cm, its abdomen is light brown or red-brown.

The venom of the six-eyed spider is a strong cytotoxin (similar to the effects of sulfuric acid), producing a hemolytic and necrotic effect, which means the rupture of blood vessels and tissue decomposition. There are only 2 cases of such spiders biting people, but both were fatal.

Golden spider

The sak spider, or golden spider (Cheiracanthium), has a size of only 10 mm, but with its bite it is capable of causing extensive tissue necrosis (necrosis), which is very painful. Its habitats: European countries, Australia and Canada.

Externally small, the spider is yellow or greenish in color and produces a strong cytotoxin poison. In the bite area, redness and sharp pain first appear, the area swells, gradually turning into a blister or wound.

According to experts, it is these spiders that cause the most trouble for people compared to other types of arachnoids.

Tarantulas

Tarantula spiders (Theraphosidae) are a whole family of arachnoids found in Africa, Australia and on the ocean islands in South America. These are the largest spiders (up to 20 cm), which some exotic lovers are fond of and even keep them at home in terrariums.

Tarantulas do not pose a danger to adults, although they can cause muscle pain and fever. However, the poison can be fatal for pets or children.

Their bright, beautiful fur is actually poisonous hairs. The spider combs the hairs from its abdomen and throws it at its prey. If it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, the poison causes pain, itching, and severe vision impairment.

Pecilotheria (tarantula)

Tarantulas belong to the same family - large hairy spiders, whose name comes from the Spanish dance tarantella. The spider has double fangs with which it pierces its prey. Tarantula is the most dangerous spider and one of the largest living in Russia (5 cm). Best known South Russian tarantula, common in the forest-steppe zone of Eurasia.

Due to the small size and amount of poison released during a bite, the consequences for humans are not very toxic, however, the poison acts on the nervous system, provoking minor convulsions and severe shortness of breath. Their toxicity is highest in July, when females reach sexual maturity and mating.

Mouse spider

The red-headed mouse spider is Australia's most dangerous spider, with 12 species. Its name comes from its soft, furry abdomen, and its bite is very dangerous to humans, although it is not very aggressive and often bites without using venom.

Nature has endowed it with bright colors: males have a red head and a gray-blue belly, females are black. Size - from 1 to 3.5 cm.

The venom has a neuroparalytic effect similar to that of the Sydney spider, but they live far from human settlements. A serum has long been made for their venom, which is effective against many funnel-web spider species.

Conclusion

The types of poisonous spiders discussed in this article differ in their habitats and in their toxicity. In Russia, such insects are found in the southern part of the country, the North Caucasus and Crimea. Knowledge appearance and species of spiders dangerous to humans, their habitat conditions will help prevent encounters with them, avoid being bitten, or learn about the degree of danger to humans.

The Brazilian wandering spider has been recognized as the most venomous spider in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. He received his nickname due to his eternal wandering and refusal to weave webs in favor of the endless search for food.

A wandering poisonous spider never lives in one place, but always wanders. What is unpleasant for a person is that sometimes he enters houses. In South America, these spiders are often found in clothes or in boxes with clothes and food.

The wandering spider is found only in America, and even then most often in tropical and subtropical regions. There are two types of Brazilian poisonous wandering spiders - jumping spiders, which pursue their prey with jerky jumps, and running spiders. The latter run very fast, but are nocturnal, and during the day they sit under stones or hide in some other place, including in people's houses.

The Brazilian poisonous wandering spider loves to feast on bananas and will not miss the opportunity to climb into a box with this fruit. For its addiction, this spider received another name - banana spider. But the main food for him is still not fruits. It hunts mainly other spiders and insects, and it also happens that it attacks birds and lizards that are larger than it.

He himself is a rather small poisonous predator - only about 10 cm. But his small size does not prevent him from being an excellent hunter and a serious problem for people, and all because he is capable of releasing a solid dose of toxic poison when biting, which is formed at the ends of the chelicerae , in the channels of the poisonous glands.

Maybe the venom of the wandering spider is less dangerous than the venom of snakes. Adult healthy person it is unlikely to kill - it will only cause a serious allergic reaction, which modern medicine can quickly cope with. But if a Brazilian wandering venomous spider bites a sick person or small child, then the poison may act faster than it arrives ambulance. Some specimens of this spider are so dangerous that human death can occur within 20-30 minutes if immediate help is not provided.

Fortunately for the residents of Russia, wandering spiders do not live here and are unlikely to ever appear: the climate is not entirely suitable. But you still need to remember to be careful when handling these arthropods, in case you still have to meet them.

By itself, a wandering poisonous spider does not attack a person. It bites only in self-defense. But the problem is that these spiders like to hide and are very difficult to notice. If you find a wandering poisonous spider, try to quickly take it out of the house and look through all the boxes and cabinets to see if there is another one in them. If possible, you should be as careful as possible and never pick it up.

It is considered one of the most dangerous and poisonous spiders in the world. However, a group of Brazilian scientists found that the venom of this paucana is effective in treating erectile dysfunction. The scientists who discovered these properties of the deadly poison conducted experiments on rats, and the test results were published in a journal called Sexual Medicine. The report provides information that the PnTx2-6 spider toxin injected into an experimental animal caused a long-lasting erection within twenty minutes due to the release of nitric oxide in the animal's body, which is a substance that dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow.

• Habitat: tropical and subtropical regions South America.
• Type: terrestrial, also lives in trees.
• Food: young spiders eat fruit flies and small crickets. Adults eat crickets and other large insects, as well as small lizards and mice.
• Size: 10-12.5 cm.
• Growth rate: fast.
• Temperature: 23.8-26.6′C.
• Humidity: about 80%.
• Personality: active and excited.
• Housing: Young spiders can live in a clear plastic container with holes for fresh air. Adults require a terrarium with a volume of 17-35 liters. The bottom area of ​​the terrarium is more important than the height.
• Substrate: 5-8 cm of sphagnum or potting soil.
• Decoration: live plants, tree bark, driftwood, etc., anything that creates good hiding places.

Runner, banana, wanderer... these are not just a bunch of words. This is the name of one of the most dangerous spiders in the world, which is capable of taking a person’s life in less than an hour. The Brazilian soldier spider is one of the most common names for a deadly poisonous spider that keeps residents of Central and South America at bay. Recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the most dangerous and poisonous of the spider family.

What death looks like and how it lives

The spider once ranked first in the world in terms of danger, but now the Brazilian soldier spider is on the throne. This is a very active and aggressive animal, which, unlike its relatives, does not weave webs, does not live in the same place for a long time, but loves to travel.

Its color also varies depending on its habitat, but, as a rule, it is the color of sandy soil, which allows for excellent camouflage. The area next to the chelicerae is colored red, this helps to first attract and then intimidate the enemy. The size of the spider can reach 15 centimeters, along with the span of its large legs.

IN daytime often sits under rocks and logs, waiting for nightfall when he feels more comfortable. Wandering all day long, the soldier spider sometimes wanders into people's homes and can hide in their clothes scattered on the floor, in shoes, climb into boxes or something similar. This spider loves to hide in banana boxes, which is why it is often called the “banana” spider; sometimes it can even snack on the bananas themselves.

If the spider encounters an enemy, it raises its front legs and places its body vertically, exposing its red “zone” next to the chelicerae.

What does a predator eat?

Sometimes, but very rarely, with bananas, while living in banana boxes, more often with various insects. But this spider has the reputation of an aggressive predator also because it can easily attack something small or even if they are larger than it.

Spider – soldier and man

Like most animals, even the most dangerous and aggressive ones, the Brazilian soldier spider will not be the first to rush into battle; it attacks and bites only in case of danger to life.

As noted earlier, due to its inconspicuous appearance and Great love“play hide and seek” in people’s houses and belongings, encounters with this spider are very frequent and sometimes end, alas, very sadly. According to various sources, the bite of a soldier spider leads to fatal outcome in 85% of cases. Its venom is incredibly toxic, causing paralysis of all muscles, resulting in a person dying from suffocation. There is an antidote that is no less toxic than the poison itself.

Despite all the negative aspects, scientists have found that the poison Brazilian soldier spider can have a positive impact on sex life men. The toxin contained in the poison can cure impotence, and in this moment Scientists are studying how to combine the toxin with existing drugs in order to effectively and safely treat male ailments.

One of the most dangerous spiders on our planet Brazilian wandering spider, or as people called him “banana” for his love for these fruits, and for the fact that he lives on banana palms. This type very aggressive for humans. The animal's venom is extremely strong, because it contains large doses of the neurotoxin PhTx3.

This substance is used in medicine in small quantities, but at high concentrations of this substance causes loss of muscle control and cardiac arrest. So it’s better not to meet this species, and when you see it, don’t touch it nearby and hurry away.

Origin of the species and description

Phoneutria fera or the Brazilian wandering spider belongs to the genus Ctenidae (runners). This species was discovered by the famous Bavarian naturalist Maximilian Perti. He devoted many years to studying these spiders. The name of this species is taken from the ancient Greek φονεύτρια; this term means “killer”. This type of spider received its name for its deadly danger.

Video: Brazilian wandering spider

Maximilian Perty combined several species P. rufibarbis and P. fera into one genus. The first view is slightly different from typical representatives of this kind, and is its dubious representative.

This genus includes several species:

• Phoneutria bahiensis Simó Brescovit, was discovered in 2001. Lives in and mainly in parks;
• Phoneutria eickstedtae Martins Bertani discovered in 2007, the habitat of this species is also the warm forests of Brazil;
• Phoneutria nigriventer was discovered back in 1987 and lives in Brazil and Northern; Phoneutria reidyi lives in warm forests and parks;
• Phoneutria pertyi was discovered in the same year and lives in tropical forests Brazil;
• Phoneutria boliviensis habitat Central and South America;
• P.fera lives mainly in the Amazon, and in the forests of Peru;
• P. keyserling is found in southern Brazil.

Like all spiders, it belongs to the type of arthropod arachnids. Family: Ctenidae Genus: Phoneutria.

Appearance and features

The Brazilian wandering spider is a fairly large arthropod. The length of an adult reaches 16 centimeters. Moreover, the body of the arthropod is about 7 centimeters. The distance from the beginning of the front legs to the end of the hind legs is approximately 17 cm. The color of this type of spider is slightly different, but in most cases it is dark brown. Although there are also spiders of yellowish and red shades. The entire body of the spider is covered with small, dense hairs

The spider's body is divided into a cephalothorax and an abdomen, which is connected by a bridge. It has 8 strong and long legs, which are not only a means of transportation, but also act as instruments of smell and touch. The legs often have black stripes and spots. The legs of this type of spider are quite massive, even somewhat similar to claws. There are as many as 8 eyes on the spider’s head; they provide the spider with a wide view.

Interesting fact: Although the banana spider has so many eyes and can see in all directions, it does not see very well. He reacts more to the movement of objects, distinguishes the silhouettes of objects, but does not see them.

Also, when examining the spider, you can notice pronounced chewing; during an attack they are especially visible. When attacked, the spider demonstrates the lower part of its body, on which bright spots are visible, to scare away enemies.

Where does the Brazilian wandering spider live?

The main habitat of this species is America. Moreover, most often these arthropods are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Representatives of this species can also be found in Brazil and northern Argentina, Venezuela, Peru and Havana.

Spiders are thermophilic; the jungle is considered the main habitat of these arthropods. There they are placed on the crowns of trees. Spiders do not build shelters or burrows for themselves; they constantly move from one habitat to another in search of food.

In Brazil, spiders of this species live everywhere except, perhaps, Northern part countries. Both in Brazil and in America, spiders can crawl into houses, which terribly scare the local population.

They love it warm and humid tropical climate. Spiders of this species do not live due to the climate. However, they can be found accidentally brought from warm countries in boxes with tropical fruits, or for spider lovers to breed them in a terrarium.

IN last years This dangerous animal is increasingly being kept at home as pets. At home, they can live all over the world, but keeping them is not recommended due to the extreme danger of this species. Spiders also don’t live well in captivity, so you need to think carefully before getting such a pet.

Now you know Where does the Brazilian wandering spider live?. Let's see what he eats.

What does the Brazilian wandering spider eat?

The diet of this type of spider includes:

• various small insects and their larvae;
• snails;
• crickets;
• small;
• small caterpillars;
• various fruits and tree fruits.

Also, the spider is not averse to feasting on small birds and their young, small ones such as rats, hamsters. Wandering Spider dangerous predator. He lies in wait for his victim in a shelter, and does everything so that the victim cannot notice him. When it sees the victim, the spider rises on its hind legs. The forelimbs are raised and the middle limbs are placed to the side. This is how the spider looks the most intimidating. From this position it attacks its prey.

Interesting fact: During a hunt, a wandering spider injects poison and its own saliva into its prey. The effect of the poison completely paralyzes the victim. The poison blocks muscle function, stops breathing and the heart. The spider's saliva turns the victim's insides into a slurry, which is then drunk by the spider.

For small animals and rodents, death occurs instantly. Snakes and larger animals suffer for about 10-15 minutes. The victim will no longer be able to escape after a spider bite; death in this case is already inevitable. The banana spider goes hunting at night, and during the day it hides from the sun under leaves on trees, in crevices and under stones. Hides in dark caves.

It can wrap its killed victim in a cocoon of cobwebs, leaving it for later. While hunting, spiders can hide in the leaves of trees in order to be invisible to the prey.

Features of character and lifestyle

Brazilian wandering spiders lead a solitary lifestyle. These spiders have a relatively calm disposition; they attack first only during a hunt. Spiders do not attack large animals and people if they feel safe. Phoneutria do not build houses, do not create shelters and shelters. They constantly move from one place to another. They hunt at night and rest during the day.

Banana spiders are aggressive towards their relatives. Cases of cannibalism occur frequently. Small spiders are eaten by older individuals; the female is able to eat the male after mating with him. Like all predators, they can attack any enemy. Moreover, most often he can defeat even a large victim thanks to his deadly poison.

Spiders of this species are very aggressive. They jealously guard their territory; males can even fight each other for territory and females. In captivity, spiders of this species feel unwell, experience severe stress, and live less than their relatives who live in the wild.

Brazilian wandering spiders run quickly, climb trees, and are constantly on the move. The main occupation of these spiders is to weave webs. And unlike ordinary spiders, this species uses the web not as a trap, but in order to wrap already caught prey in it and lay eggs at the time of mating.

The web is also used to quickly move through trees. This type of spider attacks people only for the purpose of self-defense. But a spider bite is fatal, so if you find a spider, do not touch it and try to take it away from your home.

Social structure and reproduction

As mentioned earlier, Brazilian spiders live alone and meet with a female only for reproduction. The male offers food to the female, appeasing her with it. By the way, this is also necessary so that he is alive and the female does not eat him. If the female has eaten enough, she may not want to feast on the male, and this will save his life.

When the fertilization process ends, the male quickly leaves so that the female does not eat him. Some time after fertilization, the female spider weaves a special cocoon from the web in which she lays eggs; sometimes eggs are also laid on bananas and leaves. But this happens rarely; most often, the female, in caring for the offspring, hides the eggs in the web.

After about 20-25 days, these eggs hatch into baby spiders. After birth, they spread out in different directions. Spiders of this species reproduce very quickly, as several hundred spiders are born in one litter. Adult spiders live for three years, and during their lifetime they can produce quite a large offspring. Neither the mother nor the father takes any part in raising the offspring.

The cubs grow up on their own, feeding on small larvae, worms and caterpillars. Spiderlings can hunt immediately after hatching from the egg. During their growth, spiders undergo molting and loss of exoskeleton several times. During the year, the spider molts from 6 to 10 times. Older individuals shed less. The composition of spider venom also changes as the arthropod grows. In small spiders, the poison is not so dangerous; over time, its composition undergoes changes, and the poison becomes deadly.

Natural enemies of Brazilian wandering spiders

Spiders of this species have few natural enemies, but they still exist. Called the Tarantula Hawk, it is one of the largest wasps on our planet. This is a very dangerous and scary insect.

Female wasps of this species are capable of stinging a Brazilian spider; the venom completely paralyzes the arthropod. After this, the wasp drags the spider into its hole. The most amazing thing is that the wasp needs the spider not for food, but to care for its offspring. The female wasp lays an egg in the belly of the paralyzed spider, after some time the baby hatches from it and eats the belly of the spider. The spider dies terrible death from being eaten from the inside.

Interesting fact: Some species of this genus use a so-called “dry bite,” in which no poison is injected, and such a bite is relatively safe.

Birds and other animals in natural environment they are avoided, knowing how dangerous these spiders are. Due to their poisonous nature, Brazilian spiders have very few enemies. However, spiders of this kind do not attack on their own; before the fight, they warn their enemy about the attack with their stance, and if the enemy retreats, the spider will not attack him if he feels safe and decides that nothing threatens him.

Spiders often suffer death from other animals during fights with large animals, or during fights with their relatives. Many males die during mating because they are eaten by females.

People are just as dangerous to spiders; they are often hunted for their poison. After all, poison in small quantities is used as a means to restore potency in men. In addition, people are cutting down the forests in which spiders live, so the population of one of the species of this genus is under threat of extinction.

Population and species status

The Brazilian wandering spider is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest spider on planet earth. This type of spider is very dangerous for humans, and sometimes spiders enter people’s homes. Insects can often enter the house in boxes of fruit or simply crawl in hiding from the midday heat. When bitten, these spiders inject a dangerous substance, the neurotoxin PhTx3. It blocks muscle function. Breathing slows and stops, and cardiac activity is blocked. The person quickly becomes ill.

After a bite, the dangerous poison very quickly penetrates the blood and lymph nodes. The blood carries it throughout the body. The person begins to choke, dizziness and vomiting appear. Cramps. Death occurs within a few hours. Bites from Brazilian wandering spiders are especially dangerous for children and people with low immunity. If you are bitten by a Brazilian wandering spider, you must immediately administer an antidote, although it does not always help.

The population of this genus of spiders is not threatened. They reproduce quickly and survive changes well external environment. As for other species of this genus, they live quietly and reproduce, flooding the forests and jungles of Brazil, America and Peru. Phoneutria fera and Phoneutria nigriventer are the two most dangerous species. Their poison is the most toxic. After their bites, painful conditions are observed in their victims due to the high content of serotonin. The bite provokes hallucinations, shortness of breath, and delirium.

Interesting fact: The venom of this type of spider can kill a child in just 10 minutes. An adult, depending on his state of health, can last from 20 minutes to several hours. Symptoms appear instantly and develop rapidly. Death occurs quickly as a result of suffocation.

Therefore, visiting tropical countries, be extremely vigilant, when you see this arthropod, do not approach it or touch it with your hands. Brazilian spiders do not attack humans, but upon noticing danger and saving, they can bite their own lives. There are many known cases of people being bitten in America. Brazilian spiders, and unfortunately in 60% of cases the bites were fatal. IN modern medicine There is an effective antidote, but unfortunately, the doctor is not always able to see the patient in time. Young children are especially susceptible to bites from these arthropods, and they are the most dangerous for them. Often children cannot be saved after being bitten by a wandering spider.

Brazilian wandering spider dangerous but calm animal. Reproduces quickly, lives approximately three years and during its life is capable of producing several hundred cubs. When living in their natural habitat, they obtain their food by hunting. Young spiders are not very dangerous, but adults, thanks to their poison, are deadly to humans. The danger of the poison depends on its quantity. In recent years, more and more people are holding these dangerous spiders at home in terrariums, thereby endangering their family and friends. These spiders are dangerous, remember this and better avoid them.