In this episode, I chat with spider researchers Dr. André Wanderley do Prado and Dr. Pedro de Souza Castanheira to explore the remarkable and often misunderstood world of spiders. André and Pedro share their journey from researching Brazil’s dense, biodiverse forests to working hands-on with Western Australia’s unique species at the WA Museum, where live specimens, fieldwork, and careful taxonomy all play a role in uncovering new insights into arachnid life.

We dive into what it is like to work with venomous species, why spider diversity is so much higher in some regions than others, and how museum collections help scientists trace evolution, behaviour, and ecological change. Along the way, André and Pedro break down common myths, highlight the surprising beauty and complexity of spiders, and reveal what these tiny predators can teach us about our rapidly changing planet.