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- Brazilian wandering spider
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- Brazilian wandering spider
Brazilian wandering spider - he's a soldier, a runner, a wandering spider, banana. Belongs to the Ctenidae family of runners. Reads 8 species. The natural range covers South, Central America. It is found around the world as a pet. In 2010, he was in the Guinness Book of Records, as the most poisonous.
Description of appearance
The Brazilian wandering spider grows to the size of 15 cm, which is equal to the size of the hand of an adult. Assigned to the biggest spiders. The color is diverse - gray, brown, black, red, brown. The body is divided into the abdomen, cephalothorax, connected by a thin jumper. Long powerful legs in quantity 8 pieces. Well marked stings. The photo is below.
The whole body is covered with small, thick hairs. The legs are an instrument of movement, are the organs of smell, touch. On the head the spider has 8 eyesproviding a broad outlook.
On a note!
A wandering spider sees in different directions, but does not differ in good vision. Perceives silhouettes, shadows, responds well to movement.
Lifestyle
The Brazilian spider runner got its name because of the features of life, certain qualities. The animal moves quickly, jumps well. Lives on trees, in most cases, these are bananas. The burrow is not standing, constantly moving from one place to another in search of food.
On a note!
The Brazilian spider forms powerful hunting networks. The largest diameter reaches 2 m. The threads are so strong that they freely hold birds, lizards, snakes, small rodents. Fishermen stack up spider web in several layers, used for fishing.
In search of food, the Brazilian wandering spider often crawls into apartment buildings. Hiding in cabinets with dishes, things, shoes, in the corners of rooms. Since in such conditions it does not weave a web, its presence does not betray.
Nutrition
The main diet - insects, snails, small spiders, caterpillars. Often the victims are small birds, rodents, lizards, snakes. A soldier spider lies in wait for shelter in a shelter. At its appearance, it assumes a characteristic posture - it rises to the hind limbs, raises the front limbs, pulls the middle ones forward, spreads it to the side. Waits 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 in 15 minutes. A Brazilian soldier spider hunts at night, hiding in the afternoon away from sunlight under stones, in crevices, in the leaves of trees.
Breeding
Runners lead a solitary lifestyle, gather in pairs at the time of mating. The male is seducing the female with food. Such manipulation is necessary so that the spider simply does not eat it. After fertilization, the “boyfriend” must immediately disappear, as a hungry female can begin her hunt.
After some time, a wandering spider lays eggs in a cocoon formed from a web or on bananas. Cubs are born in 20 days, creep in different directions. Up to one hundred little spiders are born at a time.An adult lives on average 3 years.
Danger to humans
The british wandering spider is one of the most poisonous representatives his huge family. A toxic substance disrupts the nervous system, causes cramping. Possible consequences of a bite:
- abdominal pain;
- nausea;
- weakness;
- vomiting
- diarrhea;
- dizziness;
- temperature change;
- arrhythmia;
- headache;
- increase in blood pressure;
- difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.
On the spot bite redness, swelling, pain, burning appears.
The situation is especially dangerous for young children, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and allergy sufferers. 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 a predator attack. However, with the provision of qualified assistance, the condition normalizes. Call an ambulance immediately if you have difficulty breathing.
Important!
Poison in high concentration leads to muscle failure, heart function is impaired, breathing is difficult. Death occurs as a result of suffocation. There is an effective antidote - Phoneutria. With its introduction, a person’s life is not in danger.
Benefits of the Brazilian Wandering Spider
Animals around the world are 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 dosed concentration. The substance has a beneficial effect on male potency. Effective medicines are made on the basis of poison.
