This spider's bite will not give you superpowers,
but it can have a painful
and indecent side effect on human males.
“Boner! You got a boner!”
But the Brazilian wandering spider
is one of the most
venomous spiders in the world.
Unlike other spider species,
this arachnid does not build the web to catch their prey.
True to its name,
this eight legged predator wanders
around the forest at night, ambushing its prey.
Let’s find out what makes this spider tick.
The Brazilian wandering spider
goes by many names.
Most notably the armed spider and the banana spider.
The arm spider
moniker refers to the yellow
and black banding that can be seen
on the underside of its two front legs.
No need to get close
to get a look at these markings, though,
because these spiders are only slightly smaller
than a tarantula.
The banana spider nickname comes from their preference
for hanging out on banana leaves.
Despite being endemic to Brazil
and other parts of Central and South America.
This venomous roamer sometimes hitches a ride to
other places through imported banana shipments.
In 2017,
a woman in northeast England discovered a nest of baby
wandering spiders in her bananas.
She and her newborn were forced to evacuate
and exterminators
had to be called in to ensure their safety.
That's bananas.
While their namesake might come
from more innocent origins,
the Wandering Spider is also infamous
for venom that attacks the nervous system,
which can have interesting side effects on men.
“Mr. Burgundy, you have a massive erection.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I do.”
Within half an hour, this can cause severe burning
hypothyroidism and convulsions.
In males,
it can cause extremely painful, prolonged erections.
Not anyone's idea of a good time.
Researchers are currently investigating
the use of this neurotoxin
in curing erectile dysfunction,
“Last night was so not a big deal.”
“Oh, yeah. I was just tired.”
but it isn't recommended
that you experiment with the venom at home.
Please do not do that.
Since 1903, the banana spider
has been responsible for 15 deaths
in Brazil.
Only 0.5% of 4,000 reported bites
caused severe symptoms.
Like most arachnid species,
it isn't particularly aggressive toward people.
Its venom is used primarily as a hunting weapon
against prey like mice, amphibians and reptiles.
Once it kicks in, it's just a waiting game
until it's dinner drops dead.
Biting is the spider's last line of defense.
Only when its intimidation tactics haven't worked.
When threatened, the banana spider will lift
its front legs and wave them side to side
as a warning dance.
It will also bear its bright red chelicerae.
At least biting is usually only its last line of defense.
If the intimidation tactics don't work.
Still, this is one spider you need to take seriously.
Want to know more about spiders
that can potentially kill you?
Who doesn't?
Check out this episode “Black Widow
or Funnel Web Spider, which is the deadliest?”
Hiding in bananas and using its potent venom
that can have excruciating and weird side effects.
That's what Brazilian wandering spiders do,
and that's what makes them crazy creatures.