Brazilian spider soldier vs black widow. Where does the Brazilian wandering spider Phoneutria live? Appearance, color and size

B Banana spider (Phoneutria) or, as it is also called, the Brazilian wandering spider is the owner of the most dangerous poison. The banana spider was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2010 thanks to its poison. The Brazilian wandering spider belongs to the family of runners (Ctenidae ) and has a rather narrow habitat.

Who discovered the Brazilian wandering spider?

The Brazilian wandering spider was discovered in 1833 by the German zoologist Maximilian Perti. He described the genus Phoneutria to which he classified 2 species of this family: Phoneutria rufibarbis And Phoneutria fera. Translated from Greek, the name of the genus is translated as “killer”. As of 2016, the worldwide catalog of spiders includes 8 representatives of the genus Phoneutria. The name of the spider is justified by the fact that this species is not attached to a specific place and does not weave a web; it hunts at night in the depths tropical forests. The name banana spider was given because it was very often found in the fruits of this particular fruit.

Where does the Banana Spider live?

The banana spider is distributed mainly in South America. The Brazilian wandering spider is found in the forests of Costa Rica and throughout South America. Encounters with this spider have been recorded in countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. Three species of the genus Phoneutria have been discovered in the Amazon region. One species lives in Central America, namely Panama and Costa Rica. The remaining species are scattered throughout the forests of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The Brazilian wandering spider is not found only in the northeastern region. Due to the fact that this spider is not tied to a specific area and travels quite often when transporting goods, its bites are recorded in different parts planets. An example can be given different regions North America and even Europe. Cases of bites have been recorded in England and Spain. It often hides in bundles of fruit, namely bananas, so be careful.

Description and behavior of the Banana Spider

The banana spider has a body length from 17 to 45 millimeters. Its limbs are between 13 and 15 centimeters long. The Brazilian wandering spider can be quite easily confused with some other spider genera, such as the genus Ctenus. It can be distinguished by the presence of dense hairline on the pedipalps. Although this difference cannot be considered very significant, how hallmark should still be specified. Another way to identify a banana spider can be a black line running along the entire length of the arthropod’s body from the head. But this feature is not the most important difference from other spiders. The most important indicator of the Banana Spider can be considered its behavior, because when a threat arises, it takes a special defensive pose. The defensive posture of the Brazilian wandering spider consists of highly raised forelimbs, and it is this defensive reaction that allows this species to be identified. Phoneutria nigriventer contains the most dangerous neurotoxin PhTx3 in its venom. Depending on the dosage, it is widely used in medicine, but if the toxicity limit is exceeded, it is very dangerous. The venom causes loss of muscle control, resulting in suffocation or cardiac arrest. Also characteristic symptom When bitten by a banana spider, preapism occurs. The bite of the Brazilian wandering spider is quite painful. It is known that females produce much more powerful poison than males. So that you understand the danger of this species, in order to kill a mouse weighing 20 grams you need 6 micrograms of poison. There is an antidote for the venom of the banana spider, which is very effective for its bites. As a result, the number of deaths has dropped to a minimum.

For residents of Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries, local spiders do not pose any particular danger, since even poisonous individuals cannot kill a person. However, there are more terrifying species in the world, a representative of which is the Brazilian wandering spider, which will be discussed further.

Appearance, color and size

The Brazilian wandering spider is a relatively large arthropod, the body length of which often exceeds 10 cm. The head and chest are small, but the belly is thick, which explains constant consumption food. The massive legs are covered with hairs, which largely gives the spider its terrifying appearance.

The color of the arthropod varies depending on the specific living conditions. Most often it is dark brown with light patches on the legs and back, but it can have a brown color with reddish hues or even black.

It is also easy to recognize a spider by its behavior: in a moment of danger, the arthropod stands on its hind legs, raising its forelimbs upward. For this feature he was nicknamed "soldier". During such a “ritual,” the spider can sway from side to side, and its jaw becomes crimson-red.

Did you know? The spider's web is so unique that it has not yet been possible to reproduce it in the laboratory. In addition, it is very light, therefore, according to preliminary calculations, for coverage Globe only 340 g of such “yarn” would be needed.

Where does it live?

The main habitats of the “Brazilian wanderer” are the territories of Central and South America, where arthropods settle mainly in tropical forests. Sometimes they can be found in private houses, where they climb in search of food or shelter.
Spiders crawl into shoe boxes, bags of clothes, and even things scattered on the floor, which only increases the danger to humans. During the day, they can hide in cool basements or dark closets, and at night they actively move around the house.

This behavior is also typical in forest conditions: during the day the spider sits out under stones or in cool holes, and at nightfall it quickly moves around the territory, for which it is also called a “runner”.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus, the “Brazilian wanderer” can only be found in terrariums, but has not yet been recorded in open nature. True, this does not mean that there is nothing to be afraid of: there are many poisonous varieties that are common in our country (for example, the “black widow”).

What does it eat?

The diet of the Brazilian spider is quite wide and includes:

• small insects;
• small lizards;
• other spiders, and even weaker representatives of their own species;
• sick birds, even if they are larger than him.

In the absence of such food, he does not disdain some fruits, especially bananas. Because of its love for them, the arthropod received the name “Brazilian banana spider.”

Important! In banana boxes they travel very long distances. There are cases when a spider ended up on another continent, endangering the local population.

Reproduction

Brazilian wandering spiders are dioecious creatures. The color of the female is much brighter than the color of the male, but the size male exceed the size of the female, in addition, males have an additional pair of limbs (used during mating).

To attract the attention of his chosen one, the male performs a kind of dance, while simultaneously offering her the caught food.

After sexual intercourse, the female often eats her partner, and after a few weeks she lays eggs and guards them until the young emerge. After this, the female’s maternal mission is completed: the young individuals crawl along the paths in search of food.

Why is a spider bite dangerous?

The Brazilian wandering spider was included in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the most poisonous creatures of its order. This attitude of people is explained by his aggressive behavior and powerful neurotoxins that are part of the poison.

In a healthy adult, they cause a strong allergic reaction, but with timely consultation with a doctor, death can be avoided. The “wanderer” poses a great danger to children and people with weakened immune systems, among whom the percentage of deaths is much higher.

During a bite, a person feels sharp pain, difficulty breathing and swelling of individual parts of the body. Over time, complete paralysis of the respiratory muscles occurs and the victim suffocates. Depending on the condition of the body, death occurs within 2-6 hours after the bite.

How is poison used in medicine?

The venom of various animals has always been the subject of study by scientists, because this is the only way to develop an antidote and save a large number of of people. However, the poison of the “Brazilian wanderer” is interesting not only for this.

Did you know? The most prominent representative big spiders considered a goliath tarantula. With a body size of up to 10 cm, the span of its limbs reaches 30 cm.

It contains the toxin TX2-6, which helps increase erection in males. And although there is no cure for erectile dysfunction using it yet, developments in this direction are still underway. It is likely that the world will soon learn about a new cure for impotence.

As you can see, a wandering spider is an interesting object for detailed study, but if you happen to encounter one in the wild, it is better to avoid the predator without putting yourself in danger.

In this topic I would like to talk about a spider that has nothing to do with tarantulas, but it is very interesting. Phoneutria fera is one of the most poisonous spiders on the planet, so I decided to post about it on my blog.

Wandering soldier spiders are one of the most poisonous spiders on Earth.

Correctly called: “Brazilian soldier spiders”, or “Brazilian wandering spiders”. In books and publications we often find “ banana spider", a name denoting a variety of spiders in the genus Nephila (N. clavipes) and Phoneutria, to which the Brazilian soldier spiders belong. Representatives of the genus Phoneutria are the most poisonous spiders. Their favorite habitat is banana plantations. Latin America, so they have another name that the people gave them: “banana spider.”
The genus of spiders Phoneutria Perty is widespread on the American continent. Habitats of species of this genus:

· Phoneutria bahiensis – eastern Brazil, forests on the coast;

· Phoneutria boliviensis – South and Central America;

· Phoneutria eickstedtae – Brazil;

· Phoneutria fera - Suriname, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil;

· Phoneutria keyserlingi – forests of the eastern coast of Brazil;

· Phoneutria nigriventer – northern Argentina, eastern Brazil, Uruguay;

Phoneutria pertyi – East Coast Brazil;

· Phoneutria reidyi – Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana.

Spiders were also called “wandering” because of their dietary preferences, which affected their lifestyle. Soldier spiders do not weave webs. These fast creatures are very active. They constantly move and do not stay in one place for long. They do not use or weave webs. They spend their days searching for food. The most poisonous spider, oddly enough, loves to feast on bananas. Therefore, there are many of them on banana plantations in tropical America.
In search of food, the banana spider often ends up in residential buildings, turning into a formidable source mortal danger. The poisonous spider, the photo of which you see, meets people not only in wildlife. Quite often they end up in people's homes straight from a bunch of bananas from the store. He can be found anywhere in the house. They find temporary shelter in folds of clothing, boxes of fruit, and inside furniture.
Although bananas are a delicacy for the most poisonous spiders, soldier spiders are still predators. Their main diet is insects and other types of spiders. The size of the spider is small, with elongated legs they reach about ten centimeters. But despite its modest size, the most poisonous spider is an excellent hunter. It attacks small reptiles: lizards, snakes, frogs. Can even attack small birds, much larger than it.
Therefore, we can say that soldier spiders are aggressive and very dangerous creatures for humans. Death from a spider bite occurs after 2-6 hours. Although the banana spider is one of the most poisonous spiders on Earth, deaths from their bites are fortunately not the rule.
The fact is that the toxicity of its poison is inferior to that of, for example, poisonous snakes. And its effect greatly depends on the body weight of the victim. How more mass, the weaker the effect. Spiders of the species Phoneutria fera can release a fairly significant dose of poison into the human body. But this does not always lead to death.
The poison is produced by special glands located at the tips of the chelicerae. Getting under the skin, it causes a severe allergic reaction. If a person is healthy and adult, then usually the bite itself poisonous spider does not lead to death. But when a child or a sick person with a weakened immune system is bitten, death can occur quickly if no medical treatment is provided. health care.
The most powerful neurotoxins contained in the venom and extremely aggressive, fearless behavior have given the banana spider the reputation of not only “the most poisonous spider,” but also “the most dangerous” to humans.
A spider bite is very painful. The poison causes symptoms of severe intoxication, then, after a certain period of time, the respiratory muscles are paralyzed. A few hours after the bite the person dies.
But, if medical assistance is immediately provided, then fatal outcome can be avoided. This is how the lucky ones who received such help in time describe the bite of the most poisonous spider. Doctors administered an antidote to them, which saved their lives. The bite is compared to the prick of a sharp thorn that penetrates very deeply. Dizziness sets in. There is a strong pressure in the chest, making it difficult to breathe normally. Pressure in blood vessels rises sharply circulatory system. You can feel your heart beating strongly.
But in Latin American countries, tragedies still happen today. An incident that occurred in Brazil: children were playing and climbed into the attic of their house, where they saw a spider. But they were not afraid, but decided to play with him. The soldier spider bit the girl. Her brother rushed to her aid. He wanted to throw it aside, but he was also bitten by the most poisonous spider. The children's parents immediately called ambulance, which arrived half an hour later. But for the girl this time turned out to be fatal. Only thirty minutes, but she could not be saved.
The behavior of the most poisonous spider is aggressive, but at the same time it does not attack large animals or humans. Bites occur more often due to the fact that a person simply does not notice the spider, which is hiding in a shelter. Or, out of ignorance that the spider is poisonous, they are caught and picked up.
It is common knowledge that snake venoms are used in medicine. They make effective medicines. The banana spider has venom, which also has interesting properties. According to the testimony of men who suffered from the bite of the most poisonous spider, during the action of the poison they felt a strong, painful erection (priapism). And after recovery, they claimed that the quality of their sex life had improved greatly.
This gave scientists a reason to begin researching the venom of soldier spiders. Research is underway suggesting that the spider toxin Tx2-6, which causes this reaction in the body, can be used to create medications to stimulate erections.

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, brazilian spider– a soldier will not be the first to rush into battle; he attacks and bites only in case of danger to life.

As noted earlier, due to its inconspicuous appearance and great love of “playing 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.

The Brazilian wandering spider is fast and very active. Everything would be fine, but it is also very poisonous. He is even ranked among the ten most dangerous spiders on the ground. This spider deservedly received its self-explanatory name: it does not weave webs, like most spiders, because it does not need it. The wandering 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 wandering spiders - jumping spiders, which pursue their prey with jerky jumps, and running spiders. The latter run very fast, but lead night image life, and during the day they sit under stones or hide in some other place, including in people's houses.

The Brazilian 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 - the 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 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 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 spider bites a sick person or small child, then the poison can act faster than the ambulance arrives.

In 1998, one of these spiders bit a 23-year-old American man who was sorting through a box of bananas. The spider was hiding in it. The spider, angry at being disturbed, bit the man on the hand. He immediately went to the hospital, where he received help. This is how the American describes his condition: “When the spider bit me, I felt a thorn penetrate very deeply into my hand. And my head immediately became like a balloon... My chest was so compressed that I could barely breathe. My blood pressure soared, almost to the ceiling, and my heart was pounding so hard that I physically felt it beating. chest. Honestly, I thought I was going to die." Doctors administered an antidote to the victim and thus saved his life. The patient was discharged the next day.

But tragic encounters with stray spiders also happen. In the home of a Brazilian family, a wandering spider hid in the attic. The younger children found it and wanted to play. The spider grabbed my hand youngest daughter. When the brother tried to throw it away, the spider bit the boy too. The parents immediately called an ambulance. The doctors arrived half an hour later, but by this time the three-year-old girl had died and could not be saved.

Fortunately for the residents of Russia, wandering spiders do not live here and are unlikely to