About Phoneutria depilata (Strand, 1909)
Description and behavior: Adult females of Phoneutria depilata reach a body length of approximately 4 inches, with a stride length over 10 centimeters; males are smaller in size. The carapace is brown with a longitudinal black line. The ocular area has brown setae and a black oblique band running from the posterior lateral eyes (PLE) to the anterior edge of the dorsal prosoma shield. The chelicerae are brown and covered in reddish setae. The dorsal side of the sternum, endites, and labium is yellowish-brown with yellow dots; their ventral side is dark brown with four distinct series of yellow dots. P. depilata is an euryphagous predator with a broad diet, consisting predominantly of arthropods, and to a lesser extent small vertebrates from the families Gekkonidae, Hylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae. Each egg sac produced by this species contains between 430 and 1300 eggs. Spiderlings hatch 28 to 34 days after the egg sacs are produced. Sexual maturity is reached after 14 to 17 molts, with individuals maturing 300 to 465 days after emerging from the egg sac.
Distribution and habitat: This species occurs in disturbed habitats associated with both dry and humid tropical forests, at elevations between 0 and 1700 meters above sea level. It is typically found on the ground in areas with sparse leaf litter and low vegetation. Its known range includes Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala.
