Can You Identify These Dangerous South American Snakes and Spiders?

By: E-maginne Grant
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These Dangerous South American Snakes and Spiders?
Image: Photo by Gordon Ashby / Moment Open / Getty Images

About This Quiz

South America is home to some of the most dangerous snakes and spiders in the world. There are over 3,600 distinctive snake species, and 375 of those are deathly venomous. Spiders definitely don't fall short in the numbers category. Over 35,000 species of spiders have been discovered in the world with hundreds more that are believed to be undiscovered. All of this may sound like a creepy-crawly slithering nightmare, but the good news is there are only 40 dangerous snakes and spiders in this quiz! 

Sit back and enjoy these beautiful candid shots of venomous emerald green and lemon yellow snakes, spotted neurotoxic biting spiders and multicolored constricting boas at their best. Not only will you enjoy these stunning and somewhat terrifying portraits, you will also learn some interesting facts about our friendly serpents and arachnids. Did you know that some species of snake have an oviparous reproductive system? These reptiles need very little to develop and care for their fertilized embryos. How many oviparous reptiles can you identify in this quiz? Find out which spiders hunt like wolves by directly going after their prey while other spiders use traditional web traps. There's something for everyone to discover here! 

1 Fer-de-Lance
Wiki Commons by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE
Also called "Lancehead," this venomous snake is a member of the genus family. Can you identify this reptile?
King cobra
Black mamba
Fer-de-Lance
The "Lancehead" is from the pit viper species. These snakes have a heat-sensing organ in between their eyes and nose. This thermoreceptor helps the snake detect differences in temperature, making it easy to find and hunt prey.
Eastern racer

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2 Venezuelan Rattlesnake
(c) by Cristóbal Alvarado Minic / Moment / Getty Images
One bite from this dangerous rattlesnake can cause impaired vision and even total blindness. What do you call this friendly beast?
Venezuelan rattlesnake
The Venezuelan rattlesnake is one of nine subspecies of the Crotalus durissus species. They are the most widely distributed species of its genus throughout Central and South America.
Bohemian rattlesnake
American rattlesnake
African rattlesnake

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Green Anaconda
Tom Brakefield / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Can you identify the most famous boa in this quiz? This gigantic beauty starred in its own film.
Brown anaconda
Green anaconda
The Green Anaconda is not only one of the largest snakes in South America, it's also one of the largest snakes in the world. This snake can grow up to 30 feet long, making it a very dangerous non-venomous boa.
Orange anaconda
Yellow anaconda

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The Brazilian Wandering Spider
shutterstock
These nocturnal spiders are one of the most venomous spiders on earth. Name this dangerous creepy-crawly nighmare.
Pandering spider
Still spider
Busy spider
Wandering spider
The Guinness Book of World Records named this spider the most venomous spider in the world. The wandering spider is commonly found in Brazil but is also found in Costa Rica and Argentina.

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South American bushmaster
Shutterstock
It may not look like it, but this snake is the longest venomous snake in South America. Can you tell us its name?
Bushmaster
You can find this snake in the forests and scrublands of the Amazon Basin. Their reddish-brown to pinkish-gray color matches the floor of their habitat, which helps them to blend in with their environment.
Tripmasters
Dutchmasters
Trainmasters

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6 Funnel web tarantula Linothele megatheloides
Wiki Commons by Fritz Geller-Grimm
This tarantula is named after the funnel shaped web that is spins. Take a spin at the right answer. What name does this spider answer to?
Arachnid
Funnel web tarantula
Scientifically known as Dipluridae, these nightmarish tarantulas have distinct fangs and long spinnerets. True to its name, they often build messy funnel webs which they retreat to.
Web spinner spider
Spinning spider

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7 Chilean Recluse Spider
Wiki Commons by Ssiltane
Venom from this spider's bite can cause necrosis of the skin. Can you pick out the name of this spider?
Chilean recluse spider
The Chilean Recluse Spider is the most dangerous one in the recluse spider family. Venom from this spider paralyzes prey before it becomes food. Ironically, it can go up to six months without food or water.
Black widow
Tarantula
Daddy long leg

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8 Aruba Island Rattlesnake
R. Andrew Odum / Photodisc / Getty Images
Can you name this snake, known as one of the rarest snakes in the world?
Diamondback rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnake
Tiger rattlesnake
Aruba island rattlesnake
This beautiful belly crawler is classified as critically endangered with less than 250 adults left in the wild. Its habitat is limited to the south region of Aruba off the coast of Venezuela.

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Yellow Anaconda
Shuttterstock
What's the name of this non-venomous beauty, which ranks as one of the largest snakes in South America.
Green anaconda
Yellow anaconda
Yellow anacondas can grow up to 14 feet long, and females tend to be larger than males. These snakes are known to be dangerous towards humans. As a result, the United States banned the transportation of the species in 2012.
Red boa
Black boa

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Yellow Sac Spider
Shutterstock
Can you tell us what this sun-colored eight-legged creature is called?
Garden spider
Turret spider
Yellow sac spider
Commonly found indoors, the Yellow Sac Spiders venom is necrotic and bites can cause lesions in humans. During the day, the spider spins a flat silk sac where it spends most of the day until it preys at night.
Camel spider

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11 Uracoan Rattlesnake
Wiki Commons by H. Krisp
This rattlesnake is found only in Venezuela. Can you pick out the right name?
Ukraine rattlesnake
Desert rattlesnake
Flying rattlesnake
Uracoan rattlesnake
Officially named Crotalus Durissus Vegrandis, the Uracoan Rattlesnake is found in Uracoa, Sotillo District in Venezuela. Belonging to the family of Viperidae, this reptile has a longevity of 19 years.

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Wolf Spider
Shutterstock
True to its name, this spider is known for its ability to jump. Can you leap to the right spider name?
Jumping wolf spider
The jumping wolf spider is named after its ability to jump and its wolf-like hunting techniques. This jumping creepy crawly doesn't weave webs like most spiders; it makes burrows instead.
Yellow garden spider
Zebra spider
Bark crab spider

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13 Bolivian Anaconda
Wiki Commons by Phillie Casablanca (Phil Whitehouse)
Named after the country it habitats, this snake is one of four in its species. Can you identify the correct name below?
American snake
Canadian anaconda
Brazilian snake
Bolivian anaconda
The Bolivian anaconda was once believed to be a hybrid of the green and yellow anaconda because of its similarities with the green anaconda, but it was soon recognized as its own species.

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Eyelash Viper
Shutterstock
Blink and you might miss it. Can you name this vibrantly colored reptile?
Eyelash viper
The eyelash viper is known for its variety of vibrant colors. Compared to other species of pit vipers, the eyelash viper is considered small, measuring up to 32 inches long. Females are known to be larger than males.
Black viper
Black mamba
Green anaconda

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15 Redtail Coral Snake Micrurus_mipartitus
Wiki Commons by Anton
A bite from this coral beauty is so dangerous it can cause death. What snake does this toxic venom belong to?
Bright tailed snake
Pit viper snake
Redtail coral snake
Distinctively named after its red-striped tail, you can find this snake in agricultural areas of Colombia. Its neurotoxic venom contains nerve proteins that cause seizures in its prey.
King snake

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16 Banana Spider
Wiki Commons by Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia
The females of this species are known to eat the males after mating. Can you tell us the name of this maneater?
Banana spider
Fossils of the Banana Spiders genus have been found to be 165 million years old. They are the oldest known spider genus. Their silk is golden in color and are sometimes called Golden Orb Spiders.
Apple spider
Greek spider
Orange spider

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17 Spiny Backed Orb Weaver
Wiki Commons by Jeevan Jose
The spiny back on this spider says it all. Can you choose the correct name for this arachnid?
Black Orb Weaver
Yellow Backed Weaver
Spiny Backed Orb Weaver
These colorful spiny creatures have a very short lifespan. After hatching in the winter, they only survive long enough for reproduction the following spring. Females tend to die after laying an egg mass.
Green Weaver

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Silver Garden Spider
Shutterstock
Webs spun by this spider form a silver zig zag pattern. Lets zig zag over to the right answer.
Fishing Spider
Silver Garden Spider
Silver Garden Spiders weave decorative non sticky sections into their webs. These sections are referred to as stabilimenta. There is no known purpose for these decorative sections.
African Tarantula
Parson Spider

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19 Amazon Palm Viper
Jack Mortimer / Moment Open / Getty Images
Can you identify the correct name of this slender and arboreal slithering serpent?
Tree dwelling snake
Black rat snake
Cottonmouth
Amazon palm viper
This venomous viper releases a haemotoxic venom that destroys red blood cells and causes necrosis. Untreated bites can lead to lost limbs and even death. Polyvalent antivenins are used to treat bites and are effective if administered quickly.

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Emerald Tree Boa
shutterstock
Colored with envy this gorgeous serpent has a descriptive name. Can you tell us what it is?
Black mamba
Green python
Emerald tree boa
Green with envy, adult emerald tree boas can grow up to six feet long. They have larger front teeth than any other non-venomous boas and are often mistaken with the green tree python.
Boa constrictor

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21 Mussurana
Wiki Commons by Geoff Gallice
Are you able to tell us the name of this rich-colored oviparous belly sliding reptile?
Water moccasin
Mussurana
The mussurana snake is a part of the Colubridae family in the Clelia genus. This species practices Ophiophagy in which they attack and eat other snakes. Although they produce a mild venom, it is still quite dangerous.
Copperhead
Corn snake

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22 Boa Constrictor
Jasius / Moment / Getty Images
Although non-venomous, this snake can cause as much damage as a venomous snake. Can you pick out the name below?
Red python
Eastern racer
Boa constrictor
The boa constrictor is one of the rare snakes that shares its common English name with its scientific binomial name. These snakes are quite large with a female boa growing up to 10 feet long.
Milk snake

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23 Goliath Birdeater Theraphosa_blondi
Wiki Commons by Didier Descouens
This spider shares a name with a famous biblical character who had a battle with a lion. Which name belongs to this biblical legend?
Goliath birdeater
The tarantula pictured here belongs to the Theraphosidae family. Contrary to its name, this spider rarely preys on birds. Their diets consist of amphibians, worms and large arthropods.
Flame knee tarantula
Long legged sac spider
Giant house spider

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24 Dark-Spotted Anaconda
Wiki Commons by Patrick Jean
True to its name, this spotted snake is found in Guayana and Brazil. Are you able to spot the answer?
Light spotted anaconda
Dark spotted anaconda
The dark spotted anaconda is also known as the De Schauensee's anaconda. It was named after the Ornithologist, Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee, who collected the first live specimen for the Philadelphia Zoo.
Green spotted anaconda
Red spotted anaconda

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25 Salmon Pink Tarantula
Wiki Commons by George Chernilevsky
Boasting a leg span of 10 inches, this tarantula is considered one of the largest in the world. Can you guess the right name?
Orange haired tarantula
Doily spider
Salmon pink tarantula
The Brazilian salmon pink birdeater tarantula is named after its long distinct salmon hairs on its leg. These pretty in pink spiders are still quite venomous, using their venom to catch prey instead of weaving webs.
Huntsman spider

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26 Rose Haired Tarantula
Wiki Commons by Psychonaught
You may notice this tarantula as a common pet despite its dangerous behavior. What's the name of this spider?
Rose haired tarantula
Also known as the Chilean rose spider, their venom contains several toxins that are dangerous to prey and humans alike. Despite the dangers of its venom, these tarantulas are still kept as pets.
Triangle weaver
Brown haired spider
Red widow

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27 Guyana Rattlesnake Crotalus durissus
Wiki Commons by © Patrick JEAN / muséum d'histoire naturelle de Nantes
As a neotropical reptile, this snake can be found throughout South America, but it's mostly found in one area. Can you select the right name?
African rattlesnake
Cuban rattlesnake
Guyana rattlesnake
Often called the South American rattlesnake, this venomous beauty is a part of the pit viper family and uses its heat-sensing organ to hunt. Ten percent of snake bites in Brazil are attributed to the South American rattlesnake.
Stripped rattlesnake

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28 Brazilian White Knee Tarantula
Daniel Valcárcel Muñoz de León / YouTube
Named after the color of its knees, it wont be hard to guess the name of this spider. Can you take a shot at it?
Brazilian white knee tarantula
The primary form of defense for this tarantula is its urticating hairs. Because of this defense mechanism, they rarely bite or secrete their toxic venom but are known to bite when provoked.
Green jumper
Cave spider
Boloa spider

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29 two-striped forest pitviper
Wiki Commons by Geoff Gallice
Found in the Amazon, can you tell us what the name of this green beauty is?
Eastern coral snake
Garter snake
Mud snake
Forest pit viper
The mode of reproduction for this reptile is Oviparous. The embryos remain inside the mother's body through the process of developing into eggs and remain there until they hatch.

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Black Widow
Shutterstock
Females in this spider family are famous for eating males. Can you name the spider we should all stay away from?
Cobweb spider
Black widow
The poison from a black widow spider bite is more potent than the poison from a rattlesnake bite. Females are more potent than males, but bites are rarely fatal if treated in time.
Cave spider
Funnel weaver

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32 Mouse_spider
Wiki Commons by Fir0002
Can you spot the scientific name of this spider, commonly called "mouse spider?"
Dewdrop spiders
Golden knee spider
Sparassidae
Missulena
The toxin released from the venom this mouse spider produces resembles robustoxin, which is also found in the funnel web spider. This toxin causes neurotoxic symptoms in its victims 10 minutes after the initial bite.

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34 Six Eyed Sand Spider
The Spiderman / YouTube
True to its name, this creature has rows of eyes. Can you count them all and guess its name?
Spotted fishing spider
Six eyed sand spider
Known scientifically as Sicarius, six eyed sand spiders are known to partially bury themselves in the sand. For this reason, they are found in barren deserts and dry countries, and they produce a necrotic venom that is toxic to humans.
Barn spider
Grass spider

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35 Speckled forest pitviper Bothriopsis_taeniata
Wiki Commons by TimVickers
You can find this speckled friend sliding through the equatorial forest of South America. Can you find its name below?
Ball python
Bullsnake
Egyptian cobra
Speckled forest pit viper
The speckled forest pit viper has a prehensile grasping tail. This helps the snake to climb through trees and forest vines. One bite from this venomous snake can swell entire limbs.

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36 Pirate Wolf Spider
Wiki Commons by Lukas Jonaitis from Vilnius, Lithuania
The common name for this spider is similar to its scientific name, Pirata. Which answer below belongs to this insect?
Jumping spider
Pirate wolf spider
Similar to its name, the pirate wolf spider hunts down its prey by running after it, relying mainly on its good eyesight for help. After giving birth, the baby spiders stay attached to the mother until they are ready to fend for themselves.
Black widow
Brown recluse

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37 Micrathena
Wiki Commons by Judy Gallagher
Famous for its ability to weave vertical webs, this spiders name takes after a beautiful greek goddess. Can you try and guess the right answer?
Micrathena
The meaning of Micrathena translates to small Athena, referring to the goddess Athena. The Micrathena has a peculiar habit of bitting their prey before wrapping it in a vertical web.
Flower crab spider
Spotted orb weaver
Lynx spider

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38 Toad Headed Pit Viper
EcoMinga Foundation / YouTube
Native to the Northwest region of South America, the shape of this snakes head is also its name. Can you point out the right name?
Ribbon snake
Toad headed pit viper
There are five different species of the Toad Headed Pit Viper. The Amazonian, small eyed, Colombian, Chocoan and rhombeatus, which doesn't have a common name. Their bite is poisonous but not deadly.
Rosy boa
Burmese python

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39 two-striped forest pitviper
Wiki Commons by Renato Augusto Martins
What would you call this beautifully striped friendly serpent?
Spotted forest pit viper
Diamondback pit viper
Freckled pit viper
Western striped forest pit viper
The only home this snake knows is the forest. The western striped forest pit viper only inhabits forest areas and wet lowland rain forests, going no higher than 1000 meters in elevation.

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40 Brown Widow
Wiki Commons by incidencematrix
Can you name this common, but deadly, house spider that shares the same name with their dangerous cousin?
Brown widow
The brown widow spider is the cousin of the black widow spider. The brown widow is slightly smaller and lighter in color, but it is just as toxic as it's darker cousin. It produces the same neurotoxic venom that attacks the nerve endings.
Grass spider
Dewdrop spider
Kaston sac spider

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You Got:
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Photo by Gordon Ashby / Moment Open / Getty Images