Brazilian wandering spider (runner, wandering, soldier)

Brazilian wandering spider - he is a soldier, a runner, a wandering spider, a banana. Belongs to the family of runners Ctenidae. Reads 8 types. The natural range covers South, Central America. As a pet found throughout the world. In 2010, hit the Guinness Book of Records as the most poisonous.

Appearance Description

Brazilian wandering spider grows to the size of 15 cm, which is equal to the size of the hand of an adult. Color varied - gray, brown, black, red, brown.The body is divided into the abdomen, the cephalothorax, connected by a thin web. 8 powerful long legs. Well noticeable mandibles. The photo is located below.

The whole body is covered with small, thick hairs. Legs are an instrument of movement; they are organs of smell and touch. On the head there are 8 eyes, providing a wide outlook.

On a note!

A wandering spider sees in different directions, but good vision is no different. Perceives silhouettes, shadows, responds well to movement.

Brazilian wandering spider

Lifestyle

The Brazilian spider runner got its name because of the characteristics of life, certain qualities. The animal moves quickly, jumps well. Lives on trees, in most cases, it is bananas. Nor does not stand, constantly moving from one place to another in search of food.

On a note!

Brazilian spider forms a powerful trap nets. The diameter of the largest reaches 2 m. The threads are so strong that they freely hold birds, lizards, snakes, small rodents. Fishermen put a web in several layers, used to catch fish.

In search of food, the Brazilian wandering spider often crawls into residential homes.Hiding in the lockers with dishes, things, shoes, in the corners of rooms. Since in such conditions it does not spin a web, it does not betray its presence.

Nutrition

The main diet - insects, snails, small spiders, caterpillars. Often the victims are small birds, rodents, lizards, snakes. The victim is a spider soldier lurking in the shelter. At its form, it takes on a characteristic pose - it rises to the hind limbs, the front ones lift up, the middle ones stretch forward, spreads it to the side. Waiting for the right moment, rushes to attack.

Interesting!

Spider runner injects poison, saliva. The first substance paralyzes the victim, the second turns the insides into a liquid mass, which the predator then drinks. Insects die almost immediately, frogs, rodents, snakes after 15 minutes. A Brazilian spider soldier hunts at night, hiding daytime away from the sunlight under the stones, in the crevices, and the leaves of the trees.

Breeding

Runners are solitary, going in pairs at the time of mating. The male coaxes the female with food. Such manipulation is necessary in order that the spider simply did not eat it. After fertilization, the “sucker” should immediately hide, as the starved female can begin her hunt.

After some time, the wandering spider lays eggs in a cocoon formed from a web or on bananas. Cubs are born after 20 days, crawling in different directions. Up to a hundred little spiders are born at a time. An adult lives on average 3 years.

Brazilian wandering spider

Danger to humans

The British wandering spider is one of the most venomous members of its huge family. The toxic substance disrupts the nervous system, causing spasms. Possible consequences of a bite:

• abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• weakness;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• dizziness;
• temperature change;
• arrhythmia;
• headache;
• high blood pressure;
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.

At the site of the bite appears redness, swelling, pain, burning.

The situation is especially dangerous for young children, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and allergies. The poison of a Brazilian wandering spider can kill a child in 15 minutes, an adult in half an hour. Anxiety symptoms develop within 20 minutes after the predator attacks. However, when providing qualified assistance, the condition is normalized.You must call an ambulance immediately if you have difficulty breathing.

Important!

Poison in high concentration leads to muscle failure, heart function is disturbed, breathing is difficult. Death comes as a result of suffocation. There is an effective antidote - Phoneutria. With his introduction, the life of a person is not in danger.

The benefits of the Brazilian wandering spider

An animal around the world is kept as a pet. Attracts an unusual appearance, large size. In artificially created conditions, the runner lives up to 3 years, multiplies, feeds on insects.

The poison contains a powerful neurotoxin PhTx3, which is used in medicine in a strictly metered concentration. The substance has a beneficial effect on the male potency. On the basis of the poison are made effective drugs.