Wandering spiders, especially those from the genus Phoneutria, are some of the most feared and misunderstood spiders in the world. Found mainly in South America, these spiders are known for their fast movements, bold behavior, and powerful venom.
In this article, I’ll explain the 8 main types of wandering spiders, how to identify them, where they live, and how dangerous they really are. Each section is written simply, so anyone can learn and stay safe.
1. Phoneutria fera
Phoneutria fera is one of the most well-known and feared species of the wandering spider family. It is native to parts of South America, including the Amazon rainforest. This spider is known for its aggressive behavior and strong venom, but it usually avoids humans unless disturbed.
Appearance & Size
Phoneutria fera is a large and hairy spider. The body color is usually brown with darker markings. The legs are long and strong, with noticeable black lines on the underside. Adult females are usually bigger than males.
- Body length: Around 3.5 to 5 cm (1.4 to 2 inches)
- Leg span: Can reach up to 15 cm (6 inches)
Identification
Here are some key features to help identify Phoneutria fera:
- Brown or reddish-brown body with dark stripes
- Black patches on the underside of front legs
- Covered in fine hairs
- Very fast-moving and active at night
- Raises front legs when threatened (defensive posture)
Habitat
This spider lives mainly in tropical rainforests, especially in the Amazon Basin. It hides in banana plants, under logs, in leaf litter, or inside houses. It is called a “wandering” spider because it does not build webs but moves around at night to hunt.
Behavior
Phoneutria fera is a nocturnal hunter. It roams the forest floor or enters homes searching for insects, small frogs, or mice. When threatened, it shows a defensive stance by lifting its front legs and opening its fangs. It prefers to flee but will bite if provoked.
Venom & Danger
This species has strong venom that can cause pain, sweating, and even breathing problems in humans. Bites are rare and often happen when the spider is accidentally touched. Medical help is important after a bite. However, death is extremely rare because of fast treatment and antivenom.
Other Facts
- Also called the Brazilian armed spider
- Part of the Phoneutria genus known for strong venom
- Used in venom research for its possible medical benefits
- Lives up to 2 years in the wild
2. Phoneutria nigriventer
Phoneutria nigriventer is one of the most studied species of wandering spiders. It is mostly found in Brazil, especially in urban areas and forests. This spider is known for its strong venom and fast movements.
Appearance & Size
This spider has a dark brown body with light markings. Its legs are long and strong, with black hairs underneath. Adult females are usually bigger than males. The body length is around 3 to 4 cm, and the leg span can reach up to 13 to 14 cm.
Identification
- Dark brown body with light patterns
- Long legs with black bristles
- Fast and active at night
- Often hides in shoes or dark corners
- Shows defensive pose by lifting front legs
Habitat
This spider lives in tropical forests, banana plantations, and sometimes in houses. It prefers warm, humid places and hides during the day in dark, safe spots.
Behavior
Phoneutria nigriventer hunts at night. It eats insects, small animals, and even lizards. It moves quickly and does not use a web to catch prey. When disturbed, it raises its legs and can attack to protect itself.
Venom & Danger
Its venom is very strong and can affect the nervous system. Bites can cause pain, nausea, and sweating. In rare cases, it may cause serious symptoms, especially in children. Antivenom is available in hospitals in affected areas.
Other Facts
This spider has been found in fruit boxes exported to other countries. It is often studied for its venom’s effect on human nerves. Despite its danger, it usually avoids humans.
3. Phoneutria keyserlingi
Phoneutria keyserlingi is another type of wandering spider found mainly in Brazil. It is often confused with Phoneutria nigriventer because of its similar size and color, but it has different markings and behavior.
Appearance & Size
This spider has a light brown body with small dark spots. Its legs are thin and covered with fine hairs. It is a medium to large-sized spider. The body size is about 3 to 4.5 cm, and the leg span can reach 12 to 14 cm.
Identification
- Light brown with scattered dark spots
- Thin legs with light stripes
- Hairs on legs and body
- Moves fast and hunts on the ground
- Takes a warning pose with lifted front legs
Habitat
It lives in rainforests, gardens, and near banana trees. It does not stay in one place and is always moving at night in search of food.
Behavior
Phoneutria keyserlingi is active during the night. It hunts without using webs. It eats insects and other small creatures. It is shy and prefers to hide when it sees humans.
Venom & Danger
Its venom can cause pain and mild symptoms in most cases. Serious reactions are rare. Medical help should still be taken after a bite. Like others in its genus, it raises its front legs when it feels threatened.
Other Facts
The name honors the scientist Keyserling. This spider helps control insect populations in the forest. It plays an important role in nature.
4. Phoneutria reidyi
Phoneutria reidyi is a less commonly known member of the wandering spider group. It is found in the northern parts of South America, including Venezuela, Colombia, and parts of Brazil. Although not as aggressive as some other species, it still carries venom and should be avoided.
Appearance & Size
This spider has a reddish-brown body with fine hairs and some light patterns on the abdomen. Its legs are long and thick, giving it a strong appearance. The body length is around 3 to 4 cm, and the leg span can go up to 12 cm.
Identification
- Reddish-brown body with light patterns
- Thick legs with visible hairs
- Moves fast across the ground
- Often hides in forest litter
- Raises front legs when it feels threatened
Habitat
Phoneutria reidyi lives in forests, especially near the ground where it can hide under leaves or logs. It prefers humid areas and avoids dry environments. Sometimes it may enter homes looking for shelter.
Behavior
It hunts during the night and hides during the day. Like other wandering spiders, it does not make webs to catch prey. Instead, it stalks and attacks small insects and animals. It may act defensively if touched or disturbed.
Venom & Danger
Its venom is harmful and can cause pain and swelling, but it is less studied compared to other species. Serious effects are rare but possible. Medical care is advised if bitten.
Other Facts
Phoneutria reidyi is named after a British naturalist. It plays a role in the forest by helping control insect populations. It is shy and usually avoids humans.
5. Phoneutria boliviensis
Phoneutria boliviensis is found in Central and South America, especially in countries like Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is one of the most widespread species in the genus and is known for being active and bold.
Appearance & Size
This spider has a brown body with darker markings on the legs and back. It is covered with short hairs that help it sense vibrations. Adult spiders measure around 2.5 to 4 cm in body length, with a leg span up to 13 cm.
Identification
- Brown body with dark leg bands
- Short body hairs
- Quick and alert movements
- Often seen on the ground at night
- Defensive posture with front legs raised
Habitat
It lives in lowland forests, agricultural fields, and sometimes near houses. It can hide under stones, bark, or inside shoes and clothes left on the floor. It is adaptable to different environments.
Behavior
Phoneutria boliviensis is a night hunter. It looks for insects and small creatures by moving quickly. It does not spin webs to catch food. It uses surprise attacks to grab prey. It can become defensive if cornered.
Venom & Danger
Its venom is strong and may cause pain, muscle cramps, or other symptoms. However, it is not usually deadly to healthy adults. Medical attention is important in case of a bite, especially for children or the elderly.
Other Facts
This species is one of the most often encountered in South America. It is important in ecological balance and is being studied for its venom’s medical properties.
6. Phoneutria pertyi
Phoneutria pertyi is a rare species of wandering spider that lives mainly in the Atlantic forest region of Brazil. It is named after the scientist Maximilian Perty. Although not as well-known as other members of its genus, it still shares the same hunting style and venomous bite.
Appearance & Size
This spider has a dark brown or reddish-brown body with black markings. The legs are strong and hairy, with a shiny look. Its body length is around 3 to 4.5 cm, and its leg span can reach up to 13 cm.
Identification
- Dark or reddish-brown body with black markings
- Glossy legs with thick hair
- Often moves quickly when disturbed
- Seen on the forest floor or under leaves
- Lifts front legs in defense when feeling threatened
Habitat
Phoneutria pertyi prefers forested areas with lots of cover, such as fallen leaves and logs. It is active during the night and hides in cool, dark places during the day. Sometimes it can enter homes in rural areas.
Behavior
This spider is a ground hunter and does not use a web to catch food. It hunts small insects and animals by stalking them. It is mostly calm but can become defensive if threatened. It shows a warning pose before biting.
Venom & Danger
The venom of Phoneutria pertyi is less documented, but it is believed to cause pain, swelling, and some mild symptoms. There are no confirmed reports of deadly bites. Medical help is recommended after any bite.
Other Facts
It is one of the lesser-known species in the Phoneutria group. Its name honors a famous scientist who studied South American wildlife. Like others in its family, it helps control insect numbers in the forest.
7. Phoneutria eickstedtae
Phoneutria eickstedtae is another rare wandering spider species found mainly in Brazil. It was named in honor of zoologist Vitor Eickstedt. This spider is found in forested and rural areas, where it hunts at night and hides during the day.
Appearance & Size
The spider has a medium brown body with light markings along its back and legs. Its legs are long, thin, and covered with short hairs. The body length is about 2.5 to 3.5 cm, and the leg span can reach around 10 to 12 cm.
Identification
- Medium brown body with faint markings
- Thin legs with short hairs
- Smaller size than other species in its group
- Moves quickly and avoids bright light
- Raises front legs in warning pose
Habitat
Phoneutria eickstedtae is found in humid forests, especially near rivers and leaf litter. It can also live in gardens and on farms. It looks for quiet places to rest during the day and hunts at night.
Behavior
This spider is not very aggressive and prefers to escape rather than fight. It hunts by roaming and attacks prey like insects and small animals. It only bites when trapped or touched.
Venom & Danger
Its venom is less toxic than some other Phoneutria species. Most bites result in local pain and swelling, but no severe symptoms have been widely reported. Medical attention is still important after any bite.
Other Facts
Phoneutria eickstedtae is not commonly seen by people. It plays a helpful role in nature by eating pests. Scientists are still learning more about this spider and its behaviors.
8. Phoneutria bahiensis
Phoneutria bahiensis is the last known species in the Phoneutria genus. It is native to the state of Bahia in Brazil, which is how it got its name. This spider is not as aggressive as others in its group, but it still has venom and should be treated with caution.
Appearance & Size
This spider has a light to medium brown body with subtle dark patterns. Its legs are long and covered with fine hairs. The body size is around 2.5 to 4 cm, and the leg span can be up to 11 to 12 cm.
Identification
- Light brown body with dark markings
- Long legs with soft hairs
- Slightly smaller than other Phoneutria spiders
- Active at night, often found on the ground
- Raises front legs when disturbed
Habitat
Phoneutria bahiensis lives mainly in the Atlantic forests and rural parts of Bahia. It stays close to the ground and hides under logs, rocks, and leaves. It may also enter buildings near forest areas.
Behavior
This species is a ground-hunting spider. It moves around at night to catch prey like insects and small creatures. It usually avoids humans and will escape when it senses danger. Biting is rare unless the spider feels trapped.
Venom & Danger
Its venom is less studied than the more famous Phoneutria nigriventer. Bites may cause pain, swelling, and mild reactions. So far, no severe or deadly cases have been reported. Still, it is wise to seek medical care if bitten.
Other Facts
This spider is not often found in cities, so reports of encounters are rare. It plays a role in controlling insect pests in nature. Researchers are still collecting data on its behavior and venom effects.
