a red-faced banana spider.

The red-faced banana spider, Cupiennius chiapanensis , from Central America is occasionally brought into North America on bananas and often misidentified as a toxic Brazilian spider.

Are Dangerous Spiders Hiding in Your Fruit?

Probably not, says a new study that shows most hitchhiking arachnids are harmless.

Fruit shipped from afar sometimes arrives with an unwelcome bonus: a large, scary-looking spider.

The arachnids, which hide among bunches of bananas and other fruit shipped from South America to the United States and the United Kingdom, can frighten the daylights out of unsuspecting humans.

Reactions can be extreme: Schools have closed . Homes have been evacuated ( again and again ). Grocery stores have pulled whole shipments of produce , as occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2013.

This is because people can be quick to assume the stowaways are Brazilian wandering spiders, dangerous South American arachnids with a reputation for being fast, aggressive, and highly toxic (the name of their genus, Phoneutria , means murderess in Greek). (See " 7 Bug and Spider Myths Squashed .")

Sometimes, that might be true. But often, the hitchhiking spiders are harmless—victims of a case of mistaken identity, says arachnologist Rick Vetter , now retired from the University of California, Riverside.

Suspecting that wandering spiders rarely go to North America in a fruit basket, Vetter set out in 2006 to determine which spiders are really bumming rides across the Equator.

He searched the scientific literature and asked a fruit importer to report any incidences of spiders turning up in shipments. Then he spent the next eight years identifying who the international stowaways actually were, results that will appear soon in the Journal of Medical Entomology .

In total, Vetter tallied 135 spider hitchhikers, only seven of which were Phoneutria.

National Geographic spoke with Vetter about the most common banana-riding spiders and why it's important to clear up these misconceptions.

Which spiders do you tend to see most commonly in fruit shipments coming to North America?

The main ones are the pantropical huntsman spiders ( Heteropoda venatoria )—big, leggy beasts, very attractive—they're the ones with the white moustache. They're found all over the world in tropical areas. Ecuador is where they're coming from in bananas a lot. And the red-faced banana spider ( Cupiennius chiapanensis ).

How frequently will you find a spider falling out of your bananas?

We really didn't get that many. The most I got was 15 spiders in a year. And this is from somebody who's bringing international cargo into North America. But I only got about half the spiders that people contacted the fruit importer about. (Also see " Ask Your Weird Animal Questions: What Happens If You Swallow a Spider? ")

a red-faced banana spider.

The pantropical huntsman spider, Heteropoda venatoria, is found in many tropical regions and sometimes hitchhikes on food shipments.

What are the economic impacts of misidentifying spider species?

This has caused, and can cause, some severe economic situations. [Say] you've got $26,000 worth of bananas sitting on a ship because somebody has identified this thing as a deadly wandering spider. Or you have 20 truckloads of wicker furniture from Mexico that they are going to fumigate and then develop a personal-protection program for their employees.

So what my paper is doing is giving information to the entomologists and arachnologists so they can properly identify the spiders—and there's also information about how toxic these things are, and it should stop some of the insanity that goes on when people find a large spider in their fruits.

In terms of the spiders being found in fruit and the hyperbolic response to those discoveries, who do you think is most to blame for that? The people who are finding the spiders? The people who are misidentifying them?

It's a combination. Part of the problem is that these spiders are misidentified online. They'll have a picture that they say is a wandering spider, but it's a photo of the red-faced spider, which is harmless. ( See a video of the world's biggest spider .)

And then there's the psychology: If there are two ways you can go with something—something that's harmless, or something that's potentially dangerous—people always go down the dangerous route. Which may be a survival instinct. Maybe it's better to take something as dangerous, even if it's harmless, than to figure it's harmless when it's dangerous.

Why do you think people choose the thing that is scary versus the thing that is not?

It's much more exciting to say, "I found a deadly, toxic spider!" than to say, "I found something that's harmless."

I was giving a talk and said to the audience, "If you get a bacterial infection, do you tell anyone about it? No. But if you think you have a brown recluse bite , you tell everybody! You put it in your Christmas letter." (See " Why Did Thousands of Venomous Spiders Swarm a House? ")

After the talk, I was in the lobby, and a guy comes up and he says, "We thought my wife was bitten by a brown recluse ... and you're right, we did put it in our Christmas letter."

Follow Nadia Drake on Twitter .

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Fact Animal

Fact Animal

Facts About Animals

Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts

Brazilian wandering spider profile.

There are more than 50,000 species of spider, and the vast majority are less dangerous than a honeybee. Almost none are aggressive, and of those with medically significant venom, only a small percentage are capable of causing death. So, on the whole, arachnophobes are just being a bit silly.

But there’s one spider that vindicates all of these fears, and few animals are as globally renowned to be a serious threat to human lives as the Brazilian Wandering Spider .

Brazilian Wandering Spiders are actually 9 species of spider in the same genus ‘Phoneutria’, one of which is found in Central America, with the rest in South America.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts

Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts Overview

These spiders are called wandering spiders because of instead of spinning a web to wait for food, or occupying a lair, they spend their night wandering in the leaf litter of the jungle floor for prey.

The sensitive hairs on its body help detect vibrations of passing prey, and it will feed on insects, lizards, frogs and any animals as large as itself.

During the day they will hide under logs, rocks, or inside termite mounds and banana plants. They will also sometimes wander into urban areas and homes, where they can come into contact with humans.

Brazilian wandering spiders are aggressive , dangerous and frightening. For once, this is an animal you should be wary of.

The females are larger, around 50% heavier than males, and produce more venom, and this might be a clue as to why their Greek name translates to “ Mudress” . These spiders will often stand and fight and have an intimidating threat display.

The potency of their venom is one of the reasons they’re so dangerous, and their ability to hide away in fruit and shoes explains why most bites are on extremities.

Interesting Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts

1. armed spiders.

In Brazilian, these are sometimes known as armed spiders, on account of their elongated front legs.

They can convey quite a bit of information with these legs, and as wandering spiders, use them to get about the forest, looking for food.

Brazilian Wandering Spider

2. Banana Spiders

They’re also sometimes called ‘banana spiders’ on account of their status as a stowaway on popular fruit imported from the tropics.

This is becoming less common as stricter regulations ensure there’s less contamination of fruits, but there’s always a chance your next bunch of bananas will have a family of these spiders living inside it.

3. They have the largest venom glands of any spider

Females produce more venom than males, but both sexes have enormous venom glands. These glands are even more impressive when you consider the size of the spider is significantly less than the largest around.

The venom glands of the Brazilian Wandering Spider are over a centimetre long, and this is all housed inside the bright red chelicerae (mouth parts) which they are quick to display whenever they get upset. 1

4. They’re aggressive

These spiders can grow quite large and have long, brightly-coloured legs. Unlike most spiders, they’re known to stand their ground when threatened and are far quicker to bite than many other species.

They’ll still try to scurry away where possible, and they’re not out to get anybody.

But where most other species will flee, the wandering spiders’ aggression does make it more likely to be involved in incidents.

Most bites are on fingers and toes, a sign that they’re being stepped on or grabbed inadvertently. When the spider feels cornered, it’ll rear up on its back legs and waves its colourful arms around as a warning.

Then it’ll sway side to side, beckoning you to have a go. Anything foolhardy enough to call this bluff gets a wealth of envenomation effects. 2 3

Brazilian Wandering Spider threat display with front legs raised

5. They give some men erections

There are ways to accomplish this with fewer side effects, but a bit from a Brazilian wandering spider does come with a certain Viagral quality.

This isn’t as fun as it might sound. Prolonged erections in this manner are likely to harm and destroy muscles and blood vessels in the penis and could cause irreparable damage.

Besides this, the assault on the central nervous system that comes with envenomation by this spider doesn’t sound worth it. 4

6. And some people die

This assault brings with it a whole host of unpleasant symptoms. Seizures, foaming at the mouth, inability to speak, collapse, and a host of other miserable experiences.

Paralysis is possible, as is cardiac shock. Blood vessels can burst in the brain, or anywhere else, and in many cases, this can be enough to kill a person.

This spider has one of the most potent venoms of all, and there are multiple legitimate records of death as a result of bites.

7. But they’re rarely fatal

While the Brazilian wandering spider is potentially one of the most dangerous spiders in the world, there is some evidence to suggest it gives a dry bite, defensively.

This means that despite exceptionally toxic venom, the amount actually injected is less than some of the other contenders, and this is what makes it typically less lethal than the Australian funnel webs.

These spiders are classified as Dangerous Wild Animals and would therefore require a special permit to keep. Bites from wandering spiders are common in South America, but antivenom is often readily available, and they rarely result in death.

In most cases, lethal bites are cases of a very young or very old victim, and few people of healthy age are killed. 5

Banana Spider

8. They do invade the UK sometimes

These unquestionably scary spiders show up in supermarkets in the UK on occasion, having hitched a ride on banana shipments.

On more than one occasion they’ve made their way into shoppers’ homes, but it doesn’t appear that there are any cases of them biting people as a result.

These spiders aren’t suited for temperate climates and don’t survive Winter, so there’s no risk of them multiplying.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Fact-File Summary

Scientific classification, fact sources & references.

  • PeerJ. (2017), “ Dimensions of venom gland of largest venom glands in all spiders ”, Bio Numbers.
  • Dave Clarke (2010), “ Venomous spider found in Waitrose shopping ‘beautiful but aggressive’” , The Guardian.
  • “ Phoneutria Perty (Arachnida: Araneae: Ctenidae) ”, UF-IFAS University of Florida
  • Kátia R.M. Leite (2012), “ Phoneutria nigriventer spider toxin Tx2-6 causes priapism and death: A histopathological investigation in mice ”, Science Direct.
  • “ Brazilian wandering spiders: Bites & other facts ”, Live Science.

March 24, 2009

Do dangerous spiders lurk in grocery store produce?

A potentially lethal spider was recently found in a bunch of bananas at a supermarket. What should consumers should do if confronted with one of the leggy critters?

By Erica Westly

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If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Last week, a store manager at a Whole Foods in Tulsa, Okla., was surprised—to say the least—to find a large brown spider lurking in a bunch of bananas . The spider was initially identified as a Brazilian wandering spider ,  a menacing-looking creature with furry fangs and legs as long as five inches (12.5 centimeters) that is considered to be one of the world's most venomous spiders, and one of the few that can kill humans. (Luckily, an anti-venom to the Brazilian’s bite was developed in 1996.) According to the Tulsa World , two local entomologists in the end determined that the invader was more likely a huntsman spider , which is large and brownish in color like the Brazilian wandering, but is nontoxic to humans. Each year, there are several news reports of wandering and huntsman spiders, the main "banana spiders," showing up in grocery store bananas as well as poisonous black widows , which find their way into bunches of grapes on store shelves. Both fruits are generally sprayed with pesticides to prevent insect infestation and usually washed before shipment. Still, even with these precautions and visual inspections, some insects manage to survive. What draws spiders to bananas and grapes—and what should consumers and produce workers who find the potentially deadly critters in their fruit do? To find out, we spoke with Linda Rayor , a spider expert and senior research associate  in Cornell University's entomology department. [ An edited transcript of the interview follows. ] How common is it to find a spider in grocery store fruit—and are spiders more common in grapes and bananas from certain regions? For the bananas, you have a reasonable chance of getting them in ones imported from anywhere in Central or South America, the main sources of the fruit. I have no idea of the actual risk, but there are different types of wandering and huntsman spiders throughout Latin America. You pretty much have a chance of getting black widows—which are found all over the world—in grapes anywhere they grow. Is there something else about grapes that black widows find especially appealing? Spiders are going to be found anywhere that there are insects for them to eat—and there are plenty of insects on grapes. They're very common in vineyards around the world. Grape arbors (the supports between grapevines) provide really great support systems for spider webs—they're perfect for cobweb-building spiders like the black widow—and the grapes make great hiding places. (Black widow bites can be toxic to humans, but they’re not nearly as dangerous as those from the most poisonous wandering spiders. They can cause intense pain and shortness of breath, but are rarely lethal in healthy adults.) How about bananas? Banana trees have these tightly coiled leaves coming up, and then the banana flowers lean down over that. Well, these banana leaves turn out to be just dandy places for these spiders to live, especially ones that hang out on the leaves. The leaves have this kind of hollow center, so a lot of the spiders hang out in the central, deep-covered hole during the day and then come out at night to hunt on the outside of the leaf. Neither one of them are web-building spiders, and so they just kind of hang out on the leaves at night and nab things that wander or fly by. There are two common groups that are both referred to as "banana spiders," but they're totally different from one another. The first group is the wandering spiders, which is the family Ctenidae, or ctenids. The other is an entirely different family, the Sparassidae, which are the huntsman spiders. They're both big spiders that have relatively long legs. They can both easily be the size of the palm of your hand, no problem. Is there an easy way to tell the two types of banana spiders apart? In one description of the spider in Tulsa, the store manager said it jumped at him. That is so much more like wandering than the huntsman spiders. Huntsmans back off and then run away sideways really fast. They're fast, but they're not aggressive. Huntsmans are big enough [for their bites] to break the skin. I've probably been bitten by huntsmans—I work with Australian huntsman spiders—I don't know, five times? It hurts because it breaks the skin, but their venom is really nothing much, and they're not really inclined to bite at all. When a wandering spider is threatened, though, it tends to rear up so its front legs go up in the air in a pretty feisty way, often with its fangs open. It's really scary. So, you've got very, very different behaviors. The huntsman spiders are also different in appearance. Most spiders stand up on all eight legs, but the huntsman spider's legs are rotated so that they're horizontal to the body. This allows them to get really flat to the ground and to move sideways really effectively. In fact, in the U.S. they're sometimes called "giant crab spiders," because they can scuttle around like crabs. The wandering spiders have normal legs that aren't rotated like the huntsman spiders' legs, so they're clearly standing upright, and the underside of the wanderings' front legs, at least in some of their species, is often brightly colored in reds or yellows. It's a warning coloration. What should consumers do if they encounter one of these spiders in their fruit? It's like anything: you have to pay attention to what you're doing and make sure you rinse off your fruit. The wandering and huntsman spiders are both pretty big, so you wouldn't miss them. Black widows are much easier to miss, because they're about the size of a grape. Black widows are really fast in webs, but they're pretty inadequate on the ground. They really can't run on the ground at all. Their abdomens are just too big, so they kind of waddle around. So a black widow is more inclined to simply drop off the web or off a grape into, say, your sink. And then, once on the ground, it's not going anywhere fast. Wandering spiders and huntsman spiders are really fast, and they do just fine on the ground. Now, I'm personally not all that big on squishing these guys. I think it's a whole lot more interesting to get them in a jar and get them identified. Spiders don’t naturally attack humans, so the risk of getting bitten is very low. Basically, people shouldn’t worry too much. Black widows, for example, are really shy. They only bite when they perceive a threat, such as a hand trying to grab them. You should try to get the offending spider to drop on the ground and quickly scoop it up into a large container (just as you would with any other spider). If a black widow does bite you, wait 15 minutes to see if she (only the females are toxic enough to harm humans) has actually injected venom in you--it starts to really hurt.  That is the advice given by Poison Control in Arizona.  Then go to an emergency room where they can provide antivenom or palliative treatment. Evidently, when a Brazilian wandering spider bites, it hurts immediately, so you go to the doctor or emergency room with the spider if possible,  It’s always best for people to bring the spider with them, so the hospital can provide the correct treatment. (For more tips see the CDC’s guide on venomous spiders .) Could stores or shippers do more to keep spiders out of our bananas and grapes? I'm not sure what more could be done. A lot of the insects on these fruits are being doused with chemicals or washed before shipping. For example, before bananas are shipped, they are taken off the plant, put in a water trough to wash them off and then they're packed in large shipping containers, which are kept quite cool. Grapes are shipped at cooler temperatures, too. What will happen is that the spiders at those lower temperatures become quiescent. Some may be dying, but a lot of animals can take cold temperatures for awhile. Both bananas and grapes are sold at the grocery not chilled. So, basically, what you've got is spiders that have been cooled pretty much until they've reached the grocery that are waking up. How dangerous are most spiders? What's important to keep in mind is that truly a small portion of spiders are dangerous to humans. Basically, most spiders can't do a whole lot. They can't break the skin or their venom doesn't react with human physiology. It's estimated that 50 percent of all spider bites don't even inject venom, and they are unlikely to go after humans. Still, you wouldn't want to be bitten by a wandering spider, Brazilian or otherwise. There are wandering spiders all over Latin America, where most bananas come from, the Brazilian wandering spider, or Phoneutria nigriventer , is only found on the Atlantic coast of Brazil, not in Honduras, where the bananas at the Tulsa store came from. The chances of encountering one are really very slim.

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Brazilian Wandering Spider

The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria fera) is an aggressive and highly venomous spider . It was first discovered in Brazil hence its name. However, this genus is known to exist elsewhere in South and Central America .

The Brazilian Wandering spider is a member of the Ctenidae family of wandering spiders.

The Brazilian Wandering spider appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records 2007 for being the most venomous animal .

In this particular genus, there are five known similar species whose members are also highly venomous. They include some of the relatively few species of spiders that present a threat to human beings.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Characteristics

The Brazilian wandering spider can grow to have a leg span of up to 4 – 5 inches. They are large hairy spindly-looking spiders who have eight eyes, two of which are large. Brazilian wandering spiders are fast-moving spiders, their legs are strong and spiny and they have distinctive red jaws which they display when angered.

The Brazilian wandering spider is not a Tarantula . Brazilian wandering spiders are not even in the same family group. Tarantulas are harmless to humans and are mostly ambush killers who wait for prey to come to them. Brazilian wandering spiders are active hunters. Brazilian wandering spiders and Tarantulas do have one thing in common, however, they do not eat bananas.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Habitat and Spider Webs

The Brazilian Wandering spider is so-called because it wanders the jungle floor, rather than residing in a lair or maintaining a web. This is another reason it is considered so dangerous. In densely populated areas, the Brazilian Wandering spider will usually search for cover and dark places to hide during daytime, leading it to hide within houses, clothes, cars, boots, boxes and log piles. This usually causes accidents when people disturb them.

The Brazilian Wandering spider is also called the ‘banana spider’ as it is occasionally found within shipments of bananas. As a result, any large spider appearing in a bunch of bananas should be treated with due care.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Diet

Adult Brazilian Wandering spiders eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards and mice. Spiderlings of this species eat flightless fruit flies and pinhead crickets.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Reproduction

All spiders produce silk, a thin, strong protein strand extruded by the spider from spinnerets most commonly found on the end of the abdomen. Many species use it to trap insects in webs, although there are many species that hunt freely such as the Brazilian Wandering spider. Silk can be used to aid in climbing, form smooth walls for burrows, build egg sacs, wrap prey and temporarily hold sperm, among other applications.

Brazilian Wandering spiders reproduce by means of eggs, which are packed into silk bundles called egg sacs. The male spider must (in most cases) make a timely departure after mating to escape before the females normal predatory instincts return.

Mature male spiders have swollen bulbs on the end of their palps for this purpose and this is a useful way to identify whether the spider is male or female. Once the sperm is inside the female spider, she stores it in a chamber and only uses it during the egg-laying process, when the eggs come into contact with the male sperm for the first time and are fertilized. The Brazilian Wandering spiders life cycle is 1 – 2 years.

Brazilian Wandering Spider Venom

Bites from the Brazilian Wandering spider may result in only a couple of painful pinpricks to full-blown envenomed. In either case, people bitten by this spider or any Ctenid should seek immediate emergency treatment as the venom is possibly life threatening.

The Phoneutria fera and Phoneutria nigriventer (two species of wandering spider) are the two most commonly implicated as the most vicious and deadly of the Phoneutria spiders.

The Phoneutria not only has a potent neurotoxin, but is reported to have one of the most excruciatingly painful envenoms of all spiders due to its high concentration of serotonin. They have the most active venom of any living spiders.

One of their members, the Brazilian Huntsman, is thought to be the most venomous spider in the world. Brazilian wandering spiders are certainly dangerous and bite more people than any other spiders.

Check out more  animals that begin with the letter B

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About

About joanne spencer.

I've always been passionate about animals which led me to a career in training and behaviour. As an animal professional I'm committed to improving relationships between people and animals to bring them more happiness.

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Brazilian Wandering Spider: Care, Food, Habitat & Preventions

Mike Wallace

Have you ever heard of or do you know what a  Brazilian wandering spider is ? It is a big venomous spider from places like Central and South America, and people sometimes call it the  banana spider . Why? Well, we are about to find out!

Table of Contents

These wandering spiders are aggressive hunters who go out on the hunt at night. Their meals include both invertebrates (like insects) and vertebrates (creatures with a backbone, like small animals).

These spiders are super dangerous because their venom is like a powerful potion that can make people really sick or even worse. They usually hang out in tropical rainforests and even in cities, hiding in banana plants. 

So, let’s get more information about the world of this sneaky spider to learn the details about its looks, eating habits, where it lives, the venom it carries, and find out if it is genuinely risky. Ready to explore? Keep reading!

Brazilian Wandering Spider Description:

Scientific name and family:.

In Brazil, they are sometimes known as “ armed spiders ” (armadeiras), and they share the name “ banana spiders ” with a few other spiders. They have different names, but they are all talking about the same interesting spider!

Brazilian Wandering-Spider sitting on hand Spiders-Planet

The Brazilian wandering spider, scientifically known as  Phoneutria , Maximilian Perty kickstarted the Phoneutria genus in 1833. The name comes from the Greek word φονεύτρια , which means “murderess” and falls under the Animalia kingdom, Arthropoda phylum, and Arachnida class.

Within Arachnida, it is classified in the order Araneae, infraorder Araneomorphae, and Ctenidae family. The genus Phoneutria, described by Perty in 1833, includes the type species  Phoneutria fera .

This classification helps us understand where these spiders fit into the larger picture of living organisms.

The following 9 species are accepted by The  World Spider Catalog :

  • Phoneutria bahiensis
  • Phoneutria boliviensis
  • Phoneutria eickstedtae
  • Phoneutria fera
  • Phoneutria keyserlingi
  • Phoneutria nigriventer
  • Phoneutria pertyi
  • Phoneutria reidyi
  • Phoneutria depilata

What do Brazilian Wandering Spider look like?

Size range:.

The spiders in the Phoneutria group can get pretty big in size. Their legs can stretch out to be 13 to 18 centimeters (5 to 7 inches) wide, and their bodies can have a range between 17 to 48 millimeters (a little more than half an inch to almost 2 inches) long.

The female Brazilian spiders can get pretty big, reaching up to 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) in length. On the other hand, the males are smaller, usually measuring around 7 centimeters (2.8 inches). They usually weigh up to 0.21 ounces.

They have long, slender legs, and even though some other spiders with different names might have longer legs, the Phoneutria spiders are champions when it comes to having the longest bodies and being the heaviest in their spider gang.

The spider’s body has two main parts. The first is the prosoma, kind of like its “head,” where you will find all eight legs, eyes, fangs (chelicera), and little multitasking arms (pedipalps).

The second part is the opisthosoma, holding the spinnerets for making silk, the back end opening (anal opening), “the lungs,” the heart, and the important bits for making baby spiders (reproductive organs).

So, the prosoma is like the front control center, and the opisthosoma is like the back office, handling things like silk-making and baby-making.

Brazilian spiders come in different colors, with most being hairy and shades of brown and gray. Some species may have lightly colored spots on their abdomen.

A distinctive feature of many species is the presence of bands of black and yellow or white on the underside of their two front legs.

Identification:

To identify a spider from the Phoneutria group, look for a dense brush of fine hairs on their leg parts. They might seem like other spiders, especially  Cupiennius , but here is how you can differentiate: 

  • Phoneutria often have a dark line on the front of their palps and a thin black line on top of their head. 
  • Check underneath, too; their legs usually have dark parts and light joints. Sometimes, the belly has black dots or is reddish. 
  • Usually it has been observed that when they are upset, they do a cool defensive move like lifting their front legs high with a distinctive pattern. So, if you see a spider doing that dance, it is probably a Phoneutria!

Brazilian Wandering Spiders live all over the Americas, from Costa Rica to northern Argentina. They are like the residents of the jungle, chilling in forests east of the Andes in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and the Guianas.

Some, like P. reidyi, P. boliviensis, and P. fera, love the Amazon rainforest, while others prefer the Atlantic Forest in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.

They have also made themselves at home in the Cerrado savanna. But if you head to northeastern Brazil, they are not around. These spiders have even taken trips to Chile and Uruguay.

Why are they called Banana Spiders?

These spiders are linked with bananas. Richard S. Vetter, a researcher at the University of California, found that these powerful spiders sometimes end up in North America and Europe by accident, hitching a ride in banana shipments.

Banana Spider sitting on banana leaf - Spiders Planet

But it is often a case of mistaken identity. Only a few Phoneutria species have been found in banana shipments, and sometimes, other spiders get the blame due to misidentification. 

What They Like to Eat or Hunt?

Their food includes flies, beetles, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets. Occasionally, they might even feast on small creatures like amphibians, reptiles, or mice. All these diet or food findings tell us about how diversified eating habits these fascinating spiders have.

Mating and Lifecycle:

Like most spiders, the female spiders are bigger than the males. When the male spider wants to be friends, they do a little dance (vibrating his pedipalps and specialized sensory appendages) to signal his intentions to impress the female, but it is a cautious approach.

The behavior of the female can be choosy, and she might say no to a few before picking the right one. 

After the dance, sometimes, the females decide to attack them, or if she is interested, she can store the male’s baby-making material in a special place until she is ready to use it.

Then, she lays a bunch of eggs, up to 1,000 at a time, and keeps them safe in a silk egg sac. Sadly, after laying her eggs, the mom spider says goodbye. It is her way of making sure the new spiders are ready to explore the world on their own.

The lifespan of the banana spider (Phoneutria nigriventer) differs for males and females. Females usually live for 6 to 8 weeks after reaching maturity, while males have a shorter lifespan of 2 to 3 weeks after their last molt. 

Certain mammals, like coatis (Procyonidae, which includes raccoons) and other small insectivores, birds are potential predators of large wandering spiders.

These spiders got their name as wandering spiders because of the fact that they are not into web building. Instead, they stroll around the forest floor at night(nocturnal), searching for dinner.

Brazilian Wandering Spiders are active hunters and use both ambush tactics and direct attacks to catch their prey. During the day, they prefer cozy spots like under logs or in crevices, only emerging at night for their hunting adventures. These spiders do not build nests like other spider species.

While wandering spiders are not naturally aggressive towards humans, they won’t hesitate to bite if they feel cornered or threatened. Most bites happen when a spider accidentally gets trapped in clothing or bedding. 

Bite and Venom:

The bite of the armed spider is the most dangerous in the world as the venom it carries can be harmful to humans.

The danger is not just about how strong the venom is; it is also about factors like the spider’s likelihood to bite and how close it is to where people live.

These spiders often hide in houses, clothes, and other dark places during the day, making accidental bites more likely. 

While their fangs are adapted for small prey, some experts think they might give a “dry” bite in defense to save venom. Studies suggest that not all bites inject venom, and serious cases requiring antivenom are rare.

However, there have been confirmed cases of death, with symptoms appearing quickly, including:

  • Severe pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • In severe cases, paralysis and death

The severity can depend on the spider’s sex, with females generally more dangerous. The spiders produce less venom in colder months, and a small amount can be potent enough to harm.

Fortunately, bites from Brazilian spiders are rare, and when they do occur, the exposure to the toxins is generally mild, as explained by Vetter.

Also Read: What is a Huntsman Spider? (Heteropodidae) – The Ultimate Guide

Banana Spider’s Facts:

Below are essential details about Brazilian wandering spiders:

  • They hold the title for the world’s largest spiders , boasting leg spans reaching up to 15 centimeters (6 inches).
  • Their venom packs a powerful punch, capable of inducing severe pain, paralysis, and, in extreme cases, fatal outcomes for humans.
  • Despite their intimidating reputation, they are generally non-aggressive and resort to biting only when provoked.
  • These spiders inhabit tropical rainforests and urban areas across Central and South America.
  • In case someone has been bitten by this spider, he/she needs quick medical treatment to control the effects timely.

Brazilian Wandering Spider sitting on wood -Spiders Planet

Treatment and Preventive Measures:

If bitten by a wandering spider or armed spiders, prompt medical attention is crucial. There is an antivenom for the spider’s venom, but its effectiveness is highest when administered within a few hours of the bite.

To prevent a bite:

  • Wear protective clothing, use shoes and long pants when in areas where these spiders are found.
  • Before wearing your clothes and shoes, make sure to check them to ensure no spiders are hiding.
  • Maintain cleanliness and avoid leaving food or garbage exposed, as this can attract spiders.

These preventive measures are essential for minimizing the risk of encountering and getting bitten by Banana spiders.

Can Brazilian spiders kill humans?

Brazilian wandering spiders (Phoneutria nigriventer) are venomous and can potentially kill a human with a single bite. Their venom contains a potent neurotoxin that can cause severe pain, paralysis, and even death. 

Are Brazilian spiders poisonous?

Yes the venom of this spider is poisonous, that can cause death. While Brazilian wandering spiders are potentially dangerous, actual bites are relatively rare.

By adopting preventive measures and promptly seeking medical attention if bitten, the risk of serious complications can be significantly reduced.

Can you keep Brazilian spiders as pets?

It is strongly advised against keeping wandering spiders as pets due to their venomous nature and the potential risk to human safety.

Managing these spiders in captivity demands specialized knowledge and handling procedures to minimize the risk of bites.

Final Thoughts:

The Brazilian wandering spider, banana spider, or armed spider is a large and venomous arachnid found in Central and South America. While their potent venom can be harmful to humans, encounters are rare.

These nocturnal hunters have adopted various habitats, from rainforests to urban areas, and are associated with banana shipments. Understanding their appearance, behavior, and habitat is crucial for minimizing risks.

Seeking immediate medical attention after a bite is essential, as antivenom is available but most effective when administered promptly. Despite their fearsome reputation, the Brazilian spider remains a captivating and potentially dangerous species.

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Did 'Deadly' Spider Eggs Really Hitch a Ride on Imported Bananas?

A Brazilian wandering spider.

It's enough to make you do a double take the next time you unpack your groceries! A recent British news report claimed that imported bananas could play host to a certain species of venomous spiders.

A woman in Essex, England, recently discovered that a bunch of bananas delivered to her home by a local grocer was infested with spider eggs. Pest control was called and reportedly identified the eggs as those belonging to the "immense and deadly" Brazilian wandering spider , according to MSN New Zealand .

But don't let this eerie tale come between you and your favorite fruit. It's unlikely that the woman's bananas were truly infested with deadly spider eggs, said Richard Vetter, a retired research associate of entomology at the University of California, Riverside. [ Creepy, Crawly & Incredible: Photos of Spiders ]

There are several reasons why fruit lovers should think twice before believing stories about scary spiders found in the produce aisle, Vetter told Live Science. For one thing, in this particular case, no spider was found hanging around the bananas, making it nearly impossible to know what kind of spider (if there even was a spider) had laid the enigmatic eggs.

"Egg sacks are much harder to identify than spiders. To identify them, you need familiarity with the spider first, then the egg sack," Vetter said. It's unlikely that British exterminators would be intimately familiar with the egg sacks of spiders from South and Central America, he added.

However, it is possible that the eggs in question belonged to an arachnid, Vetter said. There are several genera of spider that sometimes survive the long trip from banana-producing nations — such as Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua and Costa Rica — to other parts of the world. Among them are Phoneutria and Cupiennius , two types of spiders that are commonly known as wandering spiders.

Wandering spiders are named for their tendency to wander around looking for food instead of spinning a web. As nocturnal hunters, both Phoneutria and Cupiennius sometimes seek out shelter during the day under the broad leaves of banana trees. And because of their preference for these fruit trees, species of both genera at times wind up in grocery stores and residences in Europe and North America, Vetter said.

Typically, when one of these big, hairy spiders shows up overseas, it automatically gets labeled as a "deadly" Brazilian wandering spider without anyone identifying what genus or species the spider belongs to, Vetter said. And that's a shame, he said, because only one of the two genera of  wandering spiders, Phoneutria , contains species that could actually pose a threat to humans. The other genus, Cupiennius , contains some big, but totally harmless, spiders . 

"There are 12 species of Phoneutria , which are found mostly in South America, including the eastern coast of Brazil. A small number of them also go into Costa Rica," Vetter said. However, few of these spiders pose a significant risk to humans , he added.

Still, there is a type of Brazilian wandering spider, called Phoneutria fera, that is widely considered to be the most dangerous spider on Earth. The species lives in the middle of the Amazon rainforest , far from banana-producing areas. While it isn't impossible for this spider to find its way to England or other foreign nations inside a banana crate, it's highly unlikely, Vetter said.

There are also two other species of Phoneutria commonly labeled as "deadly" — P. nigriventer and P. keyserlingi . These spiders live on the eastern coast of Brazil, near centers of banana production, but their reputations as deadly pests are greatly exaggerated, Vetter said.

" Somebody did a study in Eastern Brazil back in 2000 that looked at 422 Brazilian wandering spider bites . The only people to die from the bites were two small children," Vetter said. The adult victims of this notorious arachnid experienced either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, he said.

And there's one other fact that makes the recent British report seem unlikely. Brazilian wandering spiders are only found in Brazil, and the country consumes most of its banana crop domestically, Vetter said.

" I don’t know where England gets its bananas from, but Brazil does not export many bananas," Vetter said. If the bananas in question came from Ecuador — the world's largest exporter of bananas — or any other banana-producing nation, then those eggs didn't belong to one of the "deadly" species of Brazilian wandering spiders, he added.

Follow Elizabeth Palermo @ techEpalermo . Follow Live Science @livescience , Facebook  & Google+ . Original article on Live Science .

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Elizabeth is a former Live Science associate editor and current director of audience development at the Chamber of Commerce. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from George Washington University. Elizabeth has traveled throughout the Americas, studying political systems and indigenous cultures and teaching English to students of all ages.

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Brazilian wandering spider: Where are they from and how deadly are they?

One was found in a bunch of supermarket bananas in london, article bookmarked.

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A Brazilian wandering spider

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The world’s most venomous spider has been delivered to a south London home in a bunch of bananas.

Specialists were called in to trap the Brazilian wandering spider, which ripped its leg off in a bid to escape and left an egg sac full of thousands of baby spiders behind.

The family who received the deadly arachnid in their Waitrose online shop told the Mail on Sunday they were “too traumatised to remain in the house”, while the supermarket apologised for the “distressing” incident.

It was not the first time a Brazilian wandering spider made the long journey to the UK.

In 2005, a chef in Somerset was bitten by a stowaway that had been hiding in bananas delivered to his pub.

He was saved by anti-venom administered after a nearby zoo identified the arachnid from a picture he took on his phone before passing out.

The spiders and their eggs have also been found in bananas from a Tesco in Essex and One Stop in Staffordshire.

Where are they from?

Fortunately, it is very rare to find Brazilian wandering spiders in the UK or anywhere outside their natural habitat in South America.

They live in the forests of Costa Rica, Columbia, Peru, Brazil, and Paraguay and gain their name from the habit of moving across jungle floors at night in search of food.

In the day, they like hiding in places that are dark and moist and are known to favour piles of wood, garages, cupboards, shoes and even heaps of clothes.

The apparent tendency to hide in banana bunches – like in the latest incident – has given them the nickname “banana spider”.

Their scientific name translates as “murderess” in Greek and they are also known as the “armed spider”, because of their unusual attacking stance, and “horse stinger”.

How deadly is it?

The Guinness Book of World Records has named it the most venomous spider in the world for possessing the most active neurotoxic venom of any living spider.

The toxin PhTx3 causes extreme pain, swelling, paralysis, skin cell destruction, fatal breathing complications, heart attacks and painful erections (priapism) in men lasting up to four-hours.

Victims of a Brazilian wandering spider bite can reportedly be killed in an hour.

But few deaths occur because an effective anti-venom is available in Brazil and Guinness claims that people are killed, it is usually in children under the age of seven.

Scientists have reportedly considered investigating the use of the deadly venom as a possible ingredient for drugs treating erectile dysfunction.

What do Brazilian wandering spiders look like?

There are eight known species, with the most dangerous being the Phoneutria fera and the Phoneutria nigriventer.

All vary slightly in appearance but are known for their size, with a leg span of up to 15 cm (6 ins) and body length of up to 5 cm (2 ins).

They are covered with hair and usually dark brown in colour, with some displaying bright red hairs on their venom glands.

When Brazilian wandering spiders feel threatened, they adopt a distinctive “attacking” stance with their front legs in the air, swaying from side to side.

How do they attack?

The spiders use bites as their main form of attack but do not always deliver venom, using it only in an estimated third of bites.

They eat insects and small mammals, including other spiders, amphibians, reptiles and mice, hunting them on the ground and killing with an ambush or direct attack.

Recommended

  • Venomous spider delivered by supermarket
  • Brazilian wandering spider eggs found in Essex
  • Spider nest found in shop-bought bananas

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why do brazilian wandering spiders hide in bananas

Brazilian Wandering Spider Found in Bunch of Bananas

News: a cocoon of brazilian wandering spiders was found in a bunch of tesco bananas., david mikkelson, published mar 12, 2015.

On 10 March 2015, Maria Layton posted a disturbing image on Tesco's Facebook page showing what she identified as a Brazilian wandering spider egg cocoon she found on one of the bananas she had purchased from one of the chain's stores:

According to the Telegraph , the eggs in the cocoon started hatching shortly after Layton discovered them, whereupon the 43-year-old mother of two sealed the spider-infested bananas in a container and placed them in her freezer. She maintained that the arachnids were Brazilian wandering spiders ("the most poisonous in the world") after conducting a Google search and called Tesco to complain about the potentially deadly bananas she had purchased.

When she received little help from customer service, she posted the above-displayed image on Facebook along with a message urging Tesco to remedy the problem:

I just found this on a banana my husband bought from tesco. Does it look like a spider cocoon to anyone? I called Tesco three times and was told to bring it back to the store. I opened the bag and chucked it in the bin before I spotted this thing. Should I take the bin to the store too and my fruit bowl? Would Tesco like to come round to check whether any baby spiders are in our house?  

Although Tesco attempted to resolve the issue, the company did not send anyone to Layton's residence to take care of the spiders:

"Our policy is for the customer to take the product to the store where it can be investigated. We don't have a service whereby someone can go out to the home."  

The Brazilian wandering spider was named the world's most venomous spider by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010. Although the spider's bite can be deadly, its venom is currently being studied for use in erectile dysfunction medication.

Last updated:   12 March 2015

By David Mikkelson

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

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Tiny spider on yellow petal

Can Bananas Have Spiders in Them? (3 Scary Banana Spider Facts)

If you are not a fan of creepy crawlies, you may be wondering, can bananas have spiders in them?

I am sure you have all seen the lurid stories reported in the news of horrifying tales of baby spiders terrorizing the unwary banana eater!

The question itself needs some clarification.

Are we talking about spiders literally inside a banana, waiting to leap out when you peel it?

Or just a foreign beastie nestled among your bananas?

Take my hand, and I will bravely lead you through the scary world of bananas and spiders!

Yes, bananas can have spiders within the fruit itself and also hidden in the packaging. Thankfully, this is rare as the creatures are unlikely to survive the air freight journey. However, it is possible for Brazilian wandering spiders to lay their eggs inside a banana, which will allow them to mature. As the banana is peeled, the egg sac will break, releasing the spiders, which could number several hundred. The potentially deadly false widow spider can also conceal itself between the bananas. This will typically only occur in bananas imported from South America.  

1. A Banana Spider Urban Myth?

Having established that bananas can have spiders, there is one forever circulating story that is simply not true.

That is the theory that the black tip of the banana is entirely composed of spider eggs.

You can read more on this subject by clicking the link at the end of this article.

Other so-called spider facts are also not true.

There are no species of spiders that lay their eggs in banana flowers.

Spiders prefer their egg sacs to be well-protected, and the life of the banana flower is quite short, and it quickly dies.

And neither are there any screaming banana spiders, as was suggested in an internet spoof several years ago!

2. What About Harmless Spiders in Bananas?

You can easily identify the dangerous Brazilian wandering spider as it has a leg span measuring six inches!

And should it bite you, get to the hospital immediately.

The venom can kill in as little as two hours.

However, just as with any other fruit, bananas may have the occasional stowaway, but they are not always dangerous.

The red-faced banana spider is an inhabitant of Central America.

It can survive the relatively short journey to the mainland US.

However, it is completely harmless and causes no reaction should you happen to be bitten.

If you are too squeamish to squash the spider, you can place the banana in the freezer to deal with the hairy pest.

why do brazilian wandering spiders hide in bananas

3. Are There Other Bugs or Insects in Bananas?

Yes, unfortunately, spiders are not the only threat.

The banana aphid may be found clinging to your favorite fruit.

These creatures are very tiny and difficult to spot.

You may have already eaten one without realizing it!

Other banana pests include the sugarcane weevil, the banana scab moth, and the banana skipper.

However, the harvesting and transportation process will usually remove all traces of these creatures.

To remove any potential insects or bugs, simply wash the fruit.

This will also get rid of any eggs that may be attached to the fruit.

Egg sacs may actually be from the mealybug and are completely harmless, although unpleasant to look at.

Spider Forces It’s Way Out of a Banana

Final Thoughts

I hope I haven’t scared you too much with all these bananas and spider facts!

We have discovered that it is relatively rare to see a spider in your banana hand.

And the most dangerous one is huge, and you would spot it immediately.

Spiders don’t lay their eggs in banana flowers, but occasionally, they can lay them in the fruit itself.

And let’s not even think about all the other nasty pests that may be lurking.

Better safe than sorry; always check your banana carefully before you tuck in!

And now, as promised earlier, find out if the black end of the banana has eggs in it !

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How Often are Spiders Found in Bananas?

Spiders are sometimes found in bananas from other continents, although finding a spider in your bananas is very rare.

Spiders have been occasionally found in banana batches, which has caused schools to close and people to be evacuated from homes. Despite that, the majority of spiders that are found in bananas are relatively harmless to humans, even though they might appear menacing.

Because of their threatening appearance, people who find spiders in bananas often panic, leading them to take actions that they wouldn’t have needed to take.

How Often are Spiders Found in Bananas

Spiders will sometimes be found in bananas from South America and Africa, although the likelihood of that happening is pretty low.

Many spider species like to hide in areas where they are hidden and where they can maintain their peace. That’s why they hide in bananas, where they can stay reasonably hidden from the outside world.

Unfortunately, that sometimes means that spiders also stay in these bananas and are transported to other parts of the world when it happens. And this usually has bad consequences for the recipients, who often panic when they see a spider.

It does not happen often, but these are some of the most famous findings of spiders in bananas in recent times.

Famous Cases

1. uk children’s nursery.

One of the most famous findings of spiders in bananas was in Rochdale, UK , at a local nursery school.

There, they found a Colombian banana spider, or the wandering spider, inside the packet of bananas.

This caused the whole nursery school to shut down, leading to panic among teachers and pupils alike.

It turns out that the panic was justified to an extent, since what they found was a dangerous spider that could cause serious damage, especially to children. The school got shut down and pest control experts were called into action to deal with the situation.

The action was successful, but the spider got the short end of the stick, unfortunately.

2. UK: Hundreds of Spiders in a Banana!

Another report of spiders being caught in bananas comes from the UK where a woman found hundreds of Brazilian wandering spiders inside her banana, causing her to evacuate her home .

Normally, these spiders are not dangerous or life-threatening, but they can be that for babies.

This was relevant to this particular case since the woman living in the home where bananas were found had a 7-month child.

Again, pest control specialists were called into action and they were successful in neutralizing the threat, allowing the young family to move back into their home safely.

3. UK Supermarket: Brazilian Wandering Spiders in Bananas

There was another case of Brazilian wandering spiders in bananas, this time from a family that found dozens of spiders in bananas bought from Sainsbury’s.

The mother of the family immediately called pest control and she was instructed to evacuate the home, which the family did.

At first, the spiders were seen merely as funny-looking spots on bananas, until she decided to investigate more closely. That’s when she made a shocking discovery: it was not small harmless spots, but some of the most dangerous spiders in the world.

The supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, where these bananas were bought, was forced to apologize to the young family, and they were also forced to investigate their bananas and whether there were more spiders caught inside banana packs.

4. Milwaukee USA: Black Widows in Grape Container

Another famous case of spiders in bananas comes from Milwaukee where a man found a black widow spider inside a container full of grapes.

These grapes were bought at Aldi, one of the most well-known supermarket chains worldwide.

Although these spiders were not caught inside bananas, the supermarket chain was forced to inspect all their fruits, including bananas, to find whether there were spiders caught inside these containers as well.

The grapes were later removed from the offering of the market and other fruits were closely inspected if other black widows were lurking around.

Related: Do Spider Plants Attract Spiders?

Which Spiders Are Found in Bananas Most Often?

The most common spider species that are found in bananas are Brazilian wandering spiders, which are particularly known for their liking of bananas.

These spiders often seek refuge in bananas, where they can hide from other animals as they seek shelter in bananas and other fruits. Sometimes, these spiders are unlucky enough to stay on bananas as they get shipped to other countries in the world.

This sometimes leads to incidents such as the above-mentioned ones where spiders of this type are found in banana packs.

It can cause panic with some people since these spiders look menacing, and they’re also potentially dangerous to humans.

Even though deaths are not that common from bites of this spider, their bites can cause significant damage to a human. The bite of a banana spider, as it is also sometimes called, can lead to pain, asphyxiation, breathing difficulty, sweating, lightheadedness, and other problems.

Other spiders found in bananas include black widows and jumping spiders.

Related Article: What Eats Bananas?

Can You Find a Spider in Bananas?

While it is possible that you might find a spider in your bananas, it remains highly unlikely that this will happen.

The rate at which Brazilian wandering spiders are found in bananas is wildly exaggerated. Sometimes, these unlucky spiders are found in bananas, which leads people to believe they might be also found in other bananas.

However, this is a rare occasion for many reasons.

The first reason is that bananas are checked for quality before they are shipped, which is where most bad bananas with spiders are thrown out.

Secondly, there are quality control teams at supermarkets and other stores that sell bananas, which will find the odd banana that doesn’t quite look right or a spider that might be lurking inside.

Related: What do Grass Spiders Eat?

Finding a spider inside your banana is possible, but it’s highly unlikely that it will happen. You should know that there are fairly rigorous procedures for inspecting bananas, so you will probably not find a spider in your bananas any time soon.

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why do brazilian wandering spiders hide in bananas

FACTS ABOUT Wandering spider

Brazilian wandering spider

Phoneutria genus.

BACK TO ALL WILDLIFE

Did you know? Our Rainforest Expeditions guests find the relatives of these shy, eight-legged creatures on night hikes!

Brazilian wandering spider fun facts.

  • Most toxic spider venom is known : The venom of at least one species of Phoneutria is much more toxic than the Black Widow Spider and can easily kill mice with one bite. Human fatalities in Brazil are an extremely rare occurrence.
  • No web : Unlike many other spiders, the wandering spiders don’t build webs but actively search for their prey.
  • The banana spider : Wandering spiders occasionally turn up in shipments of bananas! One such stowaway actually bit a man in England in 2005. He survived but spent a week in the hospital!
  • Understory predator : These spiders are active, aggressive predators that feed on large insects, small lizards, mice, and frogs.

How to plan your Amazon jungle travel to see Brazilian Wandering Spiders and other jungle wildlife

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why do brazilian wandering spiders hide in bananas

A truly magical experience. It’s set in a completely unique location in the middle of the jungle with no other lodges around. The guide we had (Jarinson) was the best, so so knowledgeable, experienced and lovely to spend the time with. The lodge itself is beautiful and food was great too. Would highly recommend. Read all

Interesting bus and river boat rides bring you to Posada Amazonas on the Tambopata River. It’s managed by the Ese Eja indigenous community. Luis M., our guide, helped us observe birds and learn about plants and other animals. A canopy tower, clay lick and oxbow lake are highlights. All personnel are extremely kind and researchers give short lectures in the evening. The food is delicious! Excellent mosquito netting in rooms! Read all

Wow where do I even begin. This was one of the most unique and special experiences we've ever had. You are smack dab in the middle of nowhere, deep in the Amazon jungle. Surrounded by plants and animals of all kinds and some of the most breathtaking scenery you can imagine. And in the company of scientists doing conservation work all around you. The facility is gorgeous beyond belief. Everything is so thoughtfully prepared, from water servers everywhere to comfy couches to hammocks to raised walkways so you can pad around barefoot without feeling like you're going to step on a scorpion. The meals are positively gourmet. They have delicious fresh juice out for you when you come back from your hikes. We spend 2 days there and I genuinely feel like I saw the jungle. 2-3 excursions a day with a private guide to show you everything from plants to birds to animals to a very tall tower where you can watch the sunset over the canopy. We only had 3 people in our group but I believe there can be up to 7. You have the same guide your whole trip so you really get to know them. Johan was our guide and he was wonderful. And I do believe the number of excursions/type/length can be adjusted based on your groups physical ability. The rooms are beautiful and comfy and they help you prepare mosquito netting at night so you can be comfortable. There's a full bar, in the middle of the rainforest. At night there are short (30 min) lectures you can go to if you want where the scientists talk about their work. Fascinating. We loved that the center was very eco conscious and put a lot of effort into being low impact while also offering a truly luxurious experience. That being said. Do yourself a favor and read the web site. This experience will not be for everyone. Ppl posting negative comments here about the heat, bugs, open rooms, etc did not do their homework. You are far, far inside pristine Amazon jungle. It is hot, humid, rainy, and there are bugs. You can expect to use your lovely shower a few times a day to cool off. Fortunately you have lots of down time during the heat of the day to rest under the ceiling fan in your room. There were lots of grasshoppers, moths etc around our room but honestly we didn't have many issues with biting insects or mosquitos despite visiting during the rainy season (we did use bug spray). Your room has one open wall that faces nature. Yes, technically than means someone could see you walking around naked in your room, but you are 15 feet up in the air and facing directly into thick jungle, there is no one out there besides birds and monkeys to see you. They do cut the brush back so nothing except maybe some birds could get into your room. The sounds are magical at night and during the day. It's hot especially if you go during the rainy season as we did. If you hate bugs or can't handle life without air conditioning, this is not for you. Truthfully we had no issues sleeping. Ventilation is another big benefit of the one open wall. Think of this as the glampiest glamping you'll ever do and you will not be disappointed. Read the web site and reviews thoroughly and you won't be surprised. Being good hiking shoes, a lightweight waterproof jacket, refillable water bottle, a hat, binoculars (you can rent them too), bug spray, and sunscreen. Lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants are essential bc you want to be covered so you won't get bitten or in case you brush up against a nasty plant. We saw monkeys, macaws, capybaras, owls, a caiman, and some cool jungle bugs. The guides even have a telescope you can use to both look at the animals and take great pictures with your phone. once in a lifetime experience in one of the most special and precious ecosystems in the world. Worth every penny and honestly we felt the price was cheap considering what you get. The highlight of our trip to Peru. Thank you so much. Read all

It was our first time in the rainforest and we wouldn't do it any other way. The boat rides on the Madre de Dios and the walks through the rainforests were both exciting and peaceful. Exciting when we spotted wildlife and peaceful as we settled in to hear the sounds and sights of the forest. The lodge was comfortable and the food was great. The research talks in the evenings were a great pre-dinner ritual for us. Do check them out. Saul was an amazing guide - friendly, fun, knowledgeable and very tuned to the rainforest. He could pick up on slight sounds and movements and helped us spot some great wildlife. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature t his is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories 🙂 Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Rooms: Rooms are large, spacious with wide open balconies, but no monkeys come in ( they strictly don't encourage wildlife feeding). Nearby activities: Lots of them, morning hikes, afternoon hikes, sunset cruise Walkability: You need to walk a bit, so you need to be mobile Food & drinks: Awesome Buffet, great food. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature t his is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories 🙂 Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Read all

The immersion experience was great. Be prepared though to feel hot and full of bug spray much of the time. Wear hiking p ants. Not Lulu leggings (too hot). The guides are great and you can do as much or as little as you want. We saw a lot of animals. Read all

Posadas Amazonas is an eco-friendly lodge that makes a huge commitment to preserving the rainforest for generations to c ome. The food served (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is fresh and delicious! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and caring. A special shoutout to the lodge manager Cesar for ensuring that we had packed meals for the onward journey when we were delayed by a rain storm. The main attractions apart from the abundant wildlife are the canopy tower and nearby Oxbow lake. The canopy tower gives a great 360 degree view of the rainforest and we were fortunate to see monkeys and macaws from the vantage point. At the Oxbow lake we saw river otters and Caimans and we were able to catch a piranha fish as well. Overall, Posada Amazonas is a great lodge owned and operated by the native communities located in the amazing Amazon rainforest. Read all

I had an amazing time here. I was traveling solo and did 4 days/3 nights through Inca Expert Travel. It was an unforgett able experience! I opted for a group tour for the excursions and am glad I did. Our guide, Boris, was fantastic and made sure we saw as much wildlife as possible. I can't say enough good things about him. The rest of the staff were also very kind. I enjoyed the large variety of fresh food at each meal. I felt safe and well-taken care of the entire time. Read all

TRC was an amazing place to stay. Being in the Amazon rainforest was truly like no other trip I have or will ever take. From arrival we were greeted by staff with cool drinks, warm welcomes. Beautiful main area w bar, sofas, tables,games. Our guide Fernando was SO knowledgeable, interesting, enthusiastic,. We already miss his smile and laugh 🙂 We did every excursion available over our 4 days there. The night hike turned out to be our favorite as we spotted the wandering spider then and many other intersting moths/insects. January is hot and humid, so yes expect to be wet,sweaty. Pack extra bag for wet stinky clothes ... Be ok w insects as no 4th wall in your rooms so at night mosquitio nets do a good job preventing bugs in your bed but when you wake up to use bathroom excpect moths, grasshopppers etc in room. All harmless!! TRC does provide nice rainboots for wet swampy treks.. Read all

A perfect experience in the Amazon. Harry, our guide, made the entire experience very memorable. The food is good, the b ar is expensive but good and the support staff were excellent. Tanya, the manager, took care of all our needs and was very supportive the entire stay. Please remember that the rooms are open to the nature and therefore comes with its pros and cons. You wake up with the nature including the mosquitos 🙂 The experiences offered by the Refugio is fantastic and provides a great exposure to the Amazon. Dont miss the Macaw trip. It is just magical. Read all

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! From the getgo, it was easy to coordinate our 4-day stay at Tambopata. The book ing was all done via email with quick responses, there was clear communication leading up to our stay and even upon arrival the staff was extremely organized (incl. taking our bags and making sure they arrived to our rooms). During our stay the staff was all very friendly and accomodating, the lodge was always clean (actually impressively clean given it is located in the jungle), and the food was great and plentiful. By far the best part of our stay was our tour guide, Saul. Upon arrival, Saul helped us pick our activities based on what animals we wanted to see (using his 10 years of experience). He worked on timing to make sure we can see as much as possible, was extremely knowledgable on the rainforest, the plants, the insects and the animals and noticeably put in the extra effort to find animals. You can tell that he truly loves his job and was always equally as excited to see the animals as us, even though he has seen them thousands of times. He helped us find monkeys, birds, countless insects, lizards, capybaras ect. I am 100% confident our experience wouldn't be the same without him. He even helped us capture these cool photos with only our iphone!! If you are planning to stay are TRC, I would highly recommend asking for Saul as a tour guide, if possible. Read all

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why do brazilian wandering spiders hide in bananas

'Deadly' Spiders Found In Supermarket Bananas

A British family are forced to leave their home after finding dozens of Brazilian wandering spiders in a bunch of bananas.

Monday 4 November 2013 03:52, UK

Brazilian wandering spider

A mother has spoken of her terror after discovering dozens of the world's deadliest spiders while eating a banana in her London home.

Consi Taylor told The Sun she noticed a strange white spot on the fruit, which she thought was mould.

But she dropped the banana to the floor after discovering dozens of spiders crawling over the skin.

She told the newspaper: "I thought it was mould but when I had a closer look I saw some funny looking spots.

"I had a closer look and was horrified to see they were spiders. They were hatching out on the table, scurrying around on my carpet."

The 29-year-old took the bananas back to supermarket Sainsbury's and was initially offered a £10 voucher in compensation.

But after sending an image of the creatures to a pest control company, her family were told to evacuate their home as it could be infested with Brazilian wandering spiders.

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Guinness World Records in 2010 listed the Brazilian wandering spider as the most venomous in the world.

Sometimes known as the "banana spider", they often hide in banana plants and are found across South and Central America.

They can be extremely aggressive and their venom contains a neurotoxin which triggers loss of muscle control, breathing problems, paralysis and eventual asphyxiation, although there is a common anti-venom.

Sainsbury's has paid for the Taylor home to be fumigated and for the family to stay in a hotel while it was cleaned, The Sun reported.

The supermarket said: "We're very sorry and have apologised to Mr and Mrs Taylor.

"We do have rigorous controls on imported products at all stages - from harvesting to transportation - which is why this is so rare."

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truth or fiction

Deadly Brazilian Wandering Spider Found in Bananas-Reported as Fiction!

Summary of eRumor: Shoppers have been warned to check bananas for spider eggs after a woman found a nest of Brazilian Wandering Spiders, the world’s most venomous, in a bunch of bananas. The   Truth : Don’t believe reports about deadly Brazilian Wandering Spiders (also known as Banana Spiders) being found in fruit at supermarkets. Many claims about shoppers bringing Brazilian Wandering Spiders home from the supermarket in bunches of bananas have surfaced over the years. Most have turned out to be false alarms, including one from England that went viral in June 2015. The story went viral in June 2015 when a family allegedly had to flee their home because a bunch of bananas from an Aldi supermarket was infested with Brazilian Wandering Spider eggs. The  Express   reported  that a wildlife expert confirmed that the eggs were from a Brazilian Wandering Spider, and the store was closed for half a day while it was searched for spiders. But an  Aldi spokesperson later said  the eggs were not from a Brazilian Wandering Spider, and the store had been shut down as a precaution:

“The safety of our customers is our absolute no 1 priority and as such, the bananas in question were immediately removed from the store as a precautionary measure. Following independent expert analysis, we can confirm that the eggs in question were totally harmless and not from the Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria fera). Whilst our bananas are of the highest quality and delivered by one of the world’s largest suppliers, these incidents, whilst extremely rare, can occur and we apologise for the distress caused to Mr Hobbs and his family. The Watling Street store in Hinckley is now fully open to customers.”

Similar reports about Brazilian Wandering Spiders went viral in  2013  and  2014 . There’s a good chance that the eggs were misidentified in those cases, too. Again, eggs were found, but not the actual spider (or insect) that laid them. Richard Vetter, a retired research associate of entomology at the University of California at Riverside,  told   Live Science  that it’s really hard to identify spider egg sacks without the spider that laid them, which often leads to confusion and false reports:

“Egg sacks are much harder to identify than spiders. To identify them, you need familiarity with the spider first, then the egg sack,” Vetter said. It’s unlikely that British exterminators would be intimately familiar with the egg sacks of spiders from South and Central America, he added.

However, it is possible that the eggs in question belonged to an arachnid, Vetter said. There are several genera of spider that sometimes survive the long trip from banana-producing nations — such as Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua and Costa Rica — to other parts of the world. Among them are Phoneutria and Cupiennius, two types of spiders that are commonly known as wandering spiders.

Wandering spiders are named for their tendency to wander around looking for food instead of spinning a web. As nocturnal hunters, bothPhoneutria and Cupiennius sometimes seek out shelter during the day under the broad leaves of banana trees. And because of their preference for these fruit trees, species of both genera at times wind up in grocery stores and residences in Europe and North America, Vetter said.

Typically, when one of these big, hairy spiders shows up overseas, it automatically gets labeled as a “deadly” Brazilian wandering spider without anyone identifying what genus or species the spider belongs to, Vetter said. And that’s a shame, he said, because only one of the two genera of wandering spiders, Phoneutria, contains species that could actually pose a threat to humans. The other genus, Cupiennius, contains some big, but totally harmless, spiders.

And reports that Brazilian Wandering Spiders are extremely deadly may be overblown, too. Richard Vetter said a study that looked at 422 Brazilian Wandering Spider bites found that only two people died, and they were both small children. TruthorFiction.com  has reached out to Aldi for comment on whether the supermarket has ever actually found a Brazilian Wandering Spider at a store, and future updates will be posted here. For now, we’re reporting this one as fiction.

IMAGES

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  3. Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts: the BANANA SPIDER 🍌🕷️ Animal Fact Files

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COMMENTS

  1. Are Dangerous Spiders Hiding in Your Fruit?

    This is because people can be quick to assume the stowaways are Brazilian wandering spiders, dangerous South American arachnids with a reputation for being fast, aggressive, and highly toxic (the ...

  2. 8 Absolutely Bananas Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts

    The potency of their venom is one of the reasons they're so dangerous, and their ability to hide away in fruit and shoes explains why most bites are on extremities. Interesting Brazilian Wandering Spider Facts 1. Armed Spiders. In Brazilian, these are sometimes known as armed spiders, on account of their elongated front legs.

  3. Brazilian Wandering Spider in Bananas

    There are lots of spiders in banana plantations, part of the ecosystem you see, very few are venomous to humans, and a tiny number will survive picking and transport into UK stores. There are lots of false reports of Brazilian wandering spiders turning up in bananas - including this report - and very few confirmed reports.

  4. Do dangerous spiders lurk in grocery store produce?

    There are wandering spiders all over Latin America, where most bananas come from, the Brazilian wandering spider, or Phoneutria nigriventer, is only found on the Atlantic coast of Brazil, not in ...

  5. Brazilian Wandering Spider

    The Brazilian Wandering spider is also called the 'banana spider' as it is occasionally found within shipments of bananas. As a result, any large spider appearing in a bunch of bananas should be treated with due care. Brazilian Wandering Spider Diet. Adult Brazilian Wandering spiders eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards and mice.

  6. Brazilian wandering spiders: Bites & other facts

    Size & characteristics. Brazilian wandering spiders are large, with bodies reaching up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) and a leg span of up to 7 inches (18 cm), according to the Natural History Museum ...

  7. Brazilian Wandering Spider: Care, Food, Habitat & Preventions

    The Brazilian wandering spider, scientifically known as Phoneutria, Maximilian Perty kickstarted the Phoneutria genus in 1833. The name comes from the Greek word φονεύτρια, which means "murderess" and falls under the Animalia kingdom, Arthropoda phylum, and Arachnida class. Within Arachnida, it is classified in the order Araneae ...

  8. Phoneutria

    Phoneutria is a genus of spiders in the family Ctenidae.They are mainly found in northern South America, with one species in Central America. Members of the genus are commonly referred to as Brazilian wandering spiders. Other English names include armed spiders (armadeiras in Brazilian Portuguese) and banana spiders (a name shared with several others).

  9. Banana Spider: Types, Bites, Symptoms, and Treatment

    Symptoms of a banana spider bite. A bite from a banana spider will depend on the type of spider. In most cases, a spider bite will lead to: redness on light skin tones and purplish appearance on ...

  10. Phoneutria nigriventer

    Phoneutria nigriventer is a species of medically significant spider in the family Ctenidae, found in the Southern Cone of South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina). Along with other members of the genus, they are often referred to as Brazilian wandering spiders.. Its bite can cause severe symptoms, including increased pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; extraordinary ...

  11. Banana Spiders; What to Know About the Different Species

    The various spiders that go by the name "banana spider" all look very different. Golden silk orb weaver. Male and female Trichonephila clavipes spiders look very different from each other. The ...

  12. Did 'Deadly' Spider Eggs Really Hitch a Ride on Imported Bananas?

    Brazilian wandering spiders are only found in Brazil, and the country consumes most of its banana crop domestically, Vetter said. " I don't know where England gets its bananas from, but Brazil ...

  13. [In the News] Spiders in Bananas

    The species of wandering spider that has shown up on rare occasion in bananas shipped to North America lays an average of 850 eggs per sac. Therefore, the egg sacs arriving with bananas so far surely are not that of wandering spiders. Attempts to rear the spiderlings to adulthood have failed; these spiderlings look closest in identity to a ...

  14. How deadly are Brazilian wandering spiders?

    Finding a nest of spiders in a bunch of bananas is terrifying at the best of times, but when there's a risk that they could be a nest of deadly Brazilian wandering spiders set loose in your ...

  15. The Brazilian Wandering Spider

    Unbeknownst to the person opening the bananas, an aggressive spider was hiding in the bananas and bit him. Later on it would be identified as the venomous and speedy species Phoneutria fera (Brazilian Huntsmen) from South America. Our topic today is about the Phoneutria species of spiders. There are 8 species, with only a few being the ones ...

  16. Brazilian wandering spider: Where are they from and how deadly are

    It was not the first time a Brazilian wandering spider made the long journey to the UK. In 2005, a chef in Somerset was bitten by a stowaway that had been hiding in bananas delivered to his pub.

  17. Brazilian Wandering Spider Found in Bunch of Bananas

    Published Mar 12, 2015. On 10 March 2015, Maria Layton posted a disturbing image on Tesco's Facebook page showing what she identified as a Brazilian wandering spider egg cocoon she found on one of ...

  18. Deadly Brazilian wandering spiders found in bananas sold at Tesco

    The spiders were reportedly identified as Brazilian wandering spiders. (iStock) Melanie Price says she saw 20 spiders swarming from an egg sac on a bunch of bananas she had just purchased from a ...

  19. Can Bananas Have Spiders in Them? (3 Scary Banana Spider Facts)

    Yes, bananas can have spiders within the fruit itself and also hidden in the packaging. Thankfully, this is rare as the creatures are unlikely to survive the air freight journey. However, it is possible for Brazilian wandering spiders to lay their eggs inside a banana, which will allow them to mature. As the banana is peeled, the egg sac will ...

  20. How Often are Spiders Found in Bananas?

    3. UK Supermarket: Brazilian Wandering Spiders in Bananas. There was another case of Brazilian wandering spiders in bananas, this time from a family that found dozens of spiders in bananas bought from Sainsbury's. The mother of the family immediately called pest control and she was instructed to evacuate the home, which the family did.

  21. Brazilian wandering spider

    The banana spider: Wandering spiders occasionally turn up in shipments of bananas! One such stowaway actually bit a man in England in 2005. He survived but spent a week in the hospital! Understory predator: These spiders are active, aggressive predators that feed on large insects, small lizards, mice, and frogs. How to plan your Amazon jungle ...

  22. 'Deadly' Spiders Found In Supermarket Bananas

    Guinness World Records in 2010 listed the Brazilian wandering spider as the most venomous in the world. Sometimes known as the "banana spider", they often hide in banana plants and are found ...

  23. Deadly Brazilian Wandering Spider Found in Bananas-Reported as

    Shoppers have been warned to check bananas for spider eggs after a woman found a nest of Brazilian Wandering Spiders, the world's most venomous, in a bunch of bananas. The Truth: Don't believe reports about deadly Brazilian Wandering Spiders (also known as Banana Spiders) being found in fruit at supermarkets. Many claims about shoppers ...