Jade, a proven arachnophile and experienced invert breeder, passed this one along to us. These are images of a man handling the world's most deadly spider: the Brazillian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer).
What makes them so deadly? What makes this handler insane? The Guinness Book of World Records has listed this spider as the most venomous spider, as they are believed to be the cause of the most deaths by envenomation (great band name!) by a spider. Many people die swift and painful deaths after run-ins with it.
Another reason why they are deadly is found in their name: wandering (as opposed to 'Brazilian'). They wander the jungle floor in an active hunt for food. Ergo, their contact with humans. But despite all this, if you are bitten, don't write yourself off. Only a third of their bites result in any envenomation, and even then, only a third of the bites result in full envenomation. I'd like to meet the man who can look down at his newly bitten foot and actually console himself with those factoids as he lumbers through the Amazonian undergrowth.
Mar 27, 2009
Deadly Wanderer
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7 comments:
At the risk of sounding girly for someone who is a Biologist and generally isn't squeamish... EeeeeeeeW! That thing is CREEPY. Let alone the fact it could kill me... *shivers*
Don't forget the high risk of priapism from a bite. That's the amusing part to me ;)
Is it just me, or does this guy bear a striking resemblance to Yosemite Sam (without the hat) in the second pic?
Those red chelicera should be a good enough warning.
Gorgeous!
It's not just you, Jessica - that does resemble a rather luxurious moustache. :D
It's got rather long legs for such a robust-bodied spidey. I bet it's amazing to see them move!
What a gorgeous creature! Such long, elegant legs! And those chelicerae show that she means BUSINESS!
--TwoDragons
For some reason this spider reminds me of Matthew Barney's "Creamaster III"
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