The Legendary Brazilian Wandering Spider

Have you ever wondered what the most venomous spider is? Well I think I found it, and it is called the Brazillian Wandering Spider, also known as the Banana Spider. It was in the Guinness World Records of 2010 as the most venomous spider in the world!  You might think that this is a type of tarantula, but they are not in the same family group, eventhough they both are arachnids. Brazilian Wandering Spiders are apart of the Genus Phoneutria (Greek for muderess). Their legs can grow up to 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9in.).They wander across the jungle floor at night and they search for dark places during they day. They are insectivores(which means they only eat insects).  The Brazilian Wandering Spider is normally found in the tropical forests of South America, and caused 14 reported deaths since 1926. At a deadly amount, its venom causes loss of musle control and breathing problems, and can result in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation (death by suffocation or lack of oxygen). 

Photo Credit

Crocodile Monitor

Today I found some info that may blow your mind! Have you always thought that the Komodo Dragon was the biggest lizard? The Komodo Dragon is the heaviest lizard, but the Crocodile Monitor (Varanus Salvadorii) is the longest.

                                                                                 

                                                                     Photo Source

 Here's a picture that's a lot of tail! They are very arboreal (spends more time in the trees). Some Croc Monitors have been "seen" up to 20ft. The Crocodile Monitors are carnivores and they can tackle something as small as a mouse to as big as a deer! They eat eggs too, and lay up to 12 eggs. They are diurnal they stay up during the day and go to sleep at night like humans do. They do occasionally come down from the trees to eat, drink, etc. 

                    

The Gila Monster!

I was doing some research on the Gila Monster and found something interesting on Type 2 Diabetes. Their toxic saliva from the bottom jaw may be able to help in the discovery of a cure.  I still have to do more research on it.  I'm going to give you a little fact sheet that I found in my book, National Geographic Animal Encyclpedia. 

                          The Gila Monster (Heloderma Suspectum)

                           Size: 14in. to 20in. (35 to 50 cm)

                           Diet: small mammals, birds, lizards, eggs of quails, doves, and reptiles

                     

                   Location: Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

Gila Monsters inject venom into their prey as they bite down on them. These reptiles eat up to one-third of their body weight, and they only eat during the warmer months, right before they enter hibernation. That's only about 5 to 10 times per year! Could you eat like that? Only 5 to 10 times a year? Let me know in the comments!