The Beginner’s Guide to the Brazilian Wandering Spider

The Brazilian wandering spider belongs to the genus Phoneutria, a Greek word that translates as “murderess”. The title is pretty fitting for this arachnid since it is one of the most venomous spiders on Earth. While we do have antivenin to counteract their venom, it is still a deadly poison that can kill a human, especially children, with just one bite. The Brazilian wandering spider has held the world record for the world’s most venomous spider for years in the Guinness Book of World Records. Of course, scientists argue that the venom’s deadliness depends on how much venom is injected. Long story short, this spider is one bad dude, and not a spider you want you or your children stumbling upon.

If you have never seen a picture of a Brazilian wandering spider, prepare yourself, because they are quite large. Their body can reach up to two inches in length and legs that grow as long as 6 inches. They can vary in color, but most and hairy and brown, with a black spot on their stomach.

Brazilian wandering spiders are referred to as wandering for a very specific reason. Rather than build webs to catch their prey, they instead just wander around the forest at night hunting for prey. They will use both the ambush and direct attack methods for catching prey. During the day Brazilian wandering spider typically spend their days hiding inside crevices or under logs, only emerging once night has fallen. They will eat everything from insects and other spiders to smaller animals like mice and frogs.

They have a reputation for being aggressive because of their toxic venom and their alarming posture when attacked. However, what looks aggressive is actually a defense mechanism. A Brazilian wandering spider will raise their first two legs in a kind of posture similar to a horse when it rears up, revealing the dark red hair that surrounds their fangs when they feel threatened. The stance is meant to warn away predators, and they only resort to biting when further provoked, using their venom as a kind of last resort. So, even if you do get bitten, they probably tried to warn you first. You just didn’t pay attention…something I would suggest everyone should do from now on when walking around areas with deadly spiders.

Have you ever come across a Brazilian wandering spider? If not, what is the scariest spider you have ever encountered?