Phoneutria fera facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phoneutria fera
P. fera from French Guiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Ctenidae
Genus:	Phoneutria
Species:	P. fera
Binomial name
Phoneutria fera Perty, 1833
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Synonyms
Ctenus ferus (Perty, 1833) Ctenus sus Strand, 1909

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Phoneutria fera is a type of spider found in South America. You can find it in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana. This spider belongs to the family Ctenidae.

It is often called the Brazilian wandering spider or the banana spider. However, these names are also used for other spiders in the Phoneutria group, especially Phoneutria nigriventer.

Young P. fera spiders often live in plants and trees. As they grow bigger, they spend more time on the ground. This is especially true for female spiders, as they are usually larger than males. The bite of P. fera (or its close relative P. reidyi) can make people very sick.

Understanding the Phoneutria fera Name

The name Phoneutria fera has a special meaning. It comes from both Greek and Latin words.

What "Phoneutria" Means

The first part, Phoneutria, comes from the Greek word "φονεύτρια". This word means "murderess".

What "Fera" Means

The second part, fera, comes from the Latin word "ferus". This word means "wild animal". So, the full name can be thought of as "murderess, wild animal".

Where Phoneutria fera Lives

This spider is native to the northern parts of South America. You can find it in the Amazon regions of Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and the Guyanas.

See also

In Spanish: Phoneutria fera para niños