Brazilian Wandering Spider vs. Sydney Funnel-Web Spider

Attribute	Brazilian Wandering Spider	Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
Scientific Name	Phoneutria	Atrax
Family	Ctenidae	Hexathelidae
Location	Found in South and Central America	Found in Australia
Size	Leg span of up to 6 inches (15 cm)	Leg span of up to 2 inches (5 cm)
Venom	Highly venomous, neurotoxic and can cause priapism in males	Highly venomous, neurotoxic and can cause severe pain and death
Aggressiveness	Aggressive when threatened	Aggressive when threatened
Web Type	Builds irregular webs, but also wanders actively	Builds funnel-shaped webs
Coloration	Brown with black stripes or markings	Shiny black or dark brown
Preferred Habitat	Found in tropical rainforests, banana plantations, and urban areas	Found in moist habitats like rainforests and gardens

Introduction

Spiders are fascinating creatures that come in various shapes, sizes, and venomous capabilities. Two notable examples are the Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) and the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider (Atrax robustus). While both spiders belong to different families and are found in distinct regions of the world, they share some similarities in terms of their attributes. This article aims to explore and compare the characteristics of these two venomous spiders.

Physical Appearance

The Brazilian Wandering Spider is known for its large size, with a leg span that can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm). It has a hairy body, typically brown or black in color, with distinctive red or orange markings on its abdomen. On the other hand, the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is slightly smaller, with a leg span of around 2 inches (5 cm). It has a shiny, hairless body, usually dark brown or black, and its abdomen features a leathery texture.

Both spiders possess eight legs and fangs, which they use to capture and immobilize their prey. However, the Brazilian Wandering Spider's fangs are longer and more prominent compared to the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider's fangs. These physical attributes contribute to their hunting techniques and venom delivery mechanisms.

Habitat and Distribution

The Brazilian Wandering Spider is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, including countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. It prefers warm and humid environments, often found in forests, banana plantations, and even human dwellings. In contrast, the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is endemic to eastern Australia, specifically the Sydney region and its surrounding areas. It thrives in moist habitats such as rainforests, swamps, and gardens.

Both spiders exhibit a preference for hiding in dark and sheltered locations. The Brazilian Wandering Spider is known for its wandering behavior, often found in leaf litter, tree trunks, and inside shoes or clothing. On the other hand, the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider constructs burrows in soil or rotting logs, with a characteristic funnel-shaped entrance that serves as a trap for unsuspecting prey.

Venom and Toxicity

One of the most significant attributes of these spiders is their venom, which is highly potent and potentially dangerous to humans. The Brazilian Wandering Spider's venom contains a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system, causing symptoms such as pain, sweating, and increased blood pressure. In severe cases, it can lead to priapism, a prolonged and painful erection. However, while the venom is potent, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is not inherently aggressive and will only bite if it feels threatened.

The Sydney Funnel-Web Spider, on the other hand, possesses venom that primarily affects the human nervous system. Its venom contains a potent neurotoxin called atracotoxin, which can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, and increased heart rate. Unlike the Brazilian Wandering Spider, the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is known to exhibit aggressive behavior when provoked, making it more likely to bite humans.

It is important to note that while both spiders' venom can be dangerous, fatalities from their bites are rare due to the availability of antivenom and prompt medical treatment in their respective regions.

Behavior and Hunting Techniques

The Brazilian Wandering Spider is named for its wandering behavior, as it does not construct a fixed web to catch prey. Instead, it actively hunts for insects, small vertebrates, and even other spiders. It uses its excellent vision and agility to locate and capture its prey, often pouncing on them with lightning speed. Additionally, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is known for its defensive threat display, raising its front legs and exposing its fangs when it feels threatened.

On the other hand, the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is a web-building spider that constructs a burrow with a funnel-shaped entrance. It weaves a dense, sheet-like web at the entrance, which acts as a trap for passing insects. When prey gets caught in the web, the spider rushes out, injects venom, and quickly drags the immobilized prey back into its burrow for consumption. The Sydney Funnel-Web Spider is also known for its aggressive behavior, often standing its ground and displaying its fangs when threatened.

Conclusion

While the Brazilian Wandering Spider and the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider belong to different families and inhabit distinct regions, they share fascinating attributes that make them formidable predators. Both spiders possess venomous bites, with the Brazilian Wandering Spider's venom causing potential priapism and the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider's venom affecting the nervous system. They exhibit different hunting techniques, with the Brazilian Wandering Spider actively hunting without a web and the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider relying on its burrow and web to capture prey. Understanding the attributes and behaviors of these spiders is crucial for promoting awareness and ensuring safety in their respective habitats.