Identify a Brazilian Wandering Spider

The Brazilian wandering spider is sometimes mistaken for a tarantula spider due to its size and hairiness. However, there are major differences: these 2 spiders are not of the same species and they act very differently. The Brazilian wandering spider is very fast moving and aggressive, while the tarantula is very slow moving and docile. The Brazilian wandering spider (Ctenidae) does not build a web, but wanders along the ground actively hunting its prey. This spider is sometimes called a banana spider because it has been found nestled in bananas that have been transported to other countries.

Steps

  1. Know what a Brazilian wandering spider is. Here are some key characteristics.
    • Physical features: Up to 1” (25 mm) long with a leg span of up to 5” (127 mm)
    • Venomous: Yes
    • Lives in: South and Central America
    • Eats: This spider is an active hunter. It will eat crickets, lizards, insects and mice.

Identifying a Brazilian Wandering Spider

These spiders are very large and very hairy. They move rapidly, so you may not have time to identify all the characteristics. Under no circumstances should you attempt to trap this spider in order to examine it. Brazilian wandering spiders are mean and their venomous fangs easily pierce human skin.

  1. Note the color of the spider; most wandering spiders will be yellow-brown and have black stripes.
  2. Take note of the eyes. Their 8 eyes are arranged in 3 rows. The first row has 2 eyes, the second row has 4 eyes and the third row has 2 very widely separated large eyes.
  3. Look at the legs; they will have black bands and each leg has 2 or sometimes 3 claws.

Recognizing Brazilian Wandering Spider Habitats

Brazilian wandering spiders are very aggressive if disturbed, so you should be aware of their favorite hiding places if you are living in or visiting countries where these spiders live.

  1. Spot these spiders on the ground, or inside homes during daylight hours when they tend to hide from the light. Some common places to spot them are:
    • In the folds of linens and clothes
    • Boxes
    • Shoes and boots
    • Cars
    • Firewood piles
    • Outdoor sheds and garages
    • Closets (or any dark, secluded spaces in a house)

Treating a Bite

The venom of this spider is more active than that of any other spider in the world. If you are bitten by one, you must seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. If you cannot get immediate treatment, it is imperative that you take the following steps to inhibit the poison:

  1. Lie down and stay as calm as possible—this will help slow the speed of the venom circulating through your body.
  2. Apply a pressure bandage above the bite. This action will also slow the speed of the venom.
  3. Wash the bite area with soap and water.
  4. Get professional medical treatment as soon as possible. A bite from this spider can be fatal.

Tips

  • Keep in mind that these spiders prefer to wander along the ground. Always wear sturdy shoes if you are in an area where these spiders are known to live.
  • There is a particular toxin in the venom of this spider that causes prolonged erections in human males. Medical personnel in South and Central America often diagnose a bite from a Brazilian wandering spider when they observe this condition.
  • Brazilian wandering spiders typically live for 1 to 2 years, and are preyed on by birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Warnings

  • A healthy adult must be treated for a bite within 6 to 8 hours. Children are much more susceptible to the venom and treatment for a bite from a Brazilian wandering spider should never be delayed.
  • The Brazilian wandering spider has been listed several times in the Guinness World Records as the most venomous spider in the world.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/venanimals/ven_spidbrazwand.html
  • Herbert and Lorna Levi, Spiders and Their Kin, (New York, NY; St. Martin’s Press 2002)
  • Lorus and Margery Milne, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders, (New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1980)
  • Arthur V. Evans, National wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders, (New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, 2008)
  • Rod and Ken Preston-Mafham, Spiders of the World, (New York, NY: Facts on File Publications, 1984)

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