Phil Torres is an American biologist, science communicator, photographer, and television host who is best known for hosting Expedition X on Discovery Channel. He is a Cornell University graduate with degrees in entomology and biology who lived in the Amazon Rainforest for two years. The scientist is married to Norwegian model Silja Danielsen, and they share two daughters with a third child on the way.
Phil Torres Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Philip Torres |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | March 17, 1986 |
| Age | 39 years old (as of February 2026) |
| Place of birth | Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Current residence | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Nicaraguan, German, Swedish descent) |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 160 lbs (73 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Silja Danielsen Torres |
| Children | Three (Atlis Bjear, Fjora Birdie, and a son expected June 2026) |
| Education | Cornell University (BS in Entomology and Biology); Rice University (PhD studies) |
| Profession | Biologist, television host, photographer, science communicator |
| Net worth | Estimated between $1 million and $5 million |
Who is Phil Torres?
Phil Torres is a biologist and television personality who has become famous for his work investigating paranormal phenomena and unexplained mysteries on Discovery Channel’s Expedition X.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Torres spent two years conducting conservation research in the Amazon Rainforest where he discovered new spider species.
His scientific work has been featured in major publications including Wired, BBC, National Geographic, and The Wall Street Journal.
The television host is recognized for his expertise in entomology and his ability to translate complex scientific concepts for general audiences.
Torres has filmed more than 100 hours of documentary television across multiple continents. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington, with his wife and children.
How old is Phil Torres? Age and birthday
Phil Torres is 39 years old as of February 2026. He was born on March 17, 1986, in Denver, Colorado, United States. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Phil Torres’s height and weight
The television host stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He maintains an active lifestyle that includes diving, hiking, and field research expeditions.
What is Phil Torres’s net worth?
As of 2026, Phil Torres’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. He has built his wealth through multiple income streams including television hosting, scientific consulting, wildlife photography, and leading specialized ecotourism trips.
Torres earns income from his role as host and consulting producer on Expedition X, which has been renewed for multiple seasons since its 2020 debut.
His previous hosting positions on TechKnow, Ready Set Pet, and other programs contributed to his financial success.
He also generates revenue through photography sales, speaking engagements at science festivals, and educational content creation.
The biologist’s net worth reflects over a decade of work in science communication and television production.
His diverse skill set as both a credentialed scientist and engaging television personality has made him a sought-after host for nature and science programming.
Phil Torres’s ethnicity and family background
Torres is of mixed ethnicity with Nicaraguan, German, and Swedish heritage. His father is Nicaraguan while his mother is of German and Swedish descent.
He has an older sister, Eve Torres Gracie, who is a former WWE professional wrestler, actress, and martial arts instructor.
Eve was born on August 21, 1984, and is married to Rener Gracie of the famous Gracie jiu-jitsu family.
Torres was born to Chilean parents who were living overseas from their homeland. His family fled Nicaragua when he was a child during political unrest.
He speaks English, Spanish, and jokingly claims to speak “howler monkey” from his time in the Amazon.
Phil Torres’s education
Torres attended Cornell University from 2004 to 2007, where he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Entomology and Biology.
He was active in the Snodgrass entomology club during his undergraduate years. After completing his bachelor’s degrees, he enrolled at Rice University in Houston, Texas, to pursue doctoral studies in tropical conservation biology.
Phil Torres’s career
Early career and Amazon research
After graduating from Cornell, Torres led conservation and education projects in the Amazon Rainforest for two years.
He worked at the Tambopata Research Center in Peru, where he made his most famous scientific discovery.
In 2012, Torres discovered a spider species in the genus Cyclosa that creates elaborate decoy spiders using forest debris, leaf bits, and dead insects.
This remarkable finding was covered by Wired, National Geographic, BBC, and other major media outlets.
His scientific publications include peer-reviewed research on spider behavior and tropical ecology. In November 2025, Torres published new findings in the journal Ecology and Evolution about defensive decoy behavior observed in spiders from both the Amazon and the Philippines.
Television hosting career
Torres began his television career as the host of TechKnow on Al Jazeera America, where he hosted more than 70 episodes of the science and technology magazine program from 2013 to 2016. The show covered innovations and advances in science around the world.
He served as the in-the-field live correspondent for PBS’s American Spring Live, bringing viewers up-close encounters with wildlife during the spring migration season.
Torres also hosted Ready, Set, Pet on The CW starting in 2018, guiding families through the pet adoption process. He created and hosted Big Metal Bird for United Airlines, taking viewers behind the scenes of airline operations.
Expedition X and Discovery Channel
Torres currently hosts Expedition X on Discovery Channel, which premiered in February 2020. The show is a spin-off of Expedition Unknown and features Torres alongside co-host Heather Amaro (who joined in season 8) investigating paranormal phenomena, mysterious creatures, and unexplained events around the world. Torres originally worked with co-host Jessica Chobot through season 7 before she departed the series.
The show is currently airing its 11th season as of January 2026. Torres was briefly absent from the season 11 premiere due to paternity leave following the birth of his second daughter in March 2025. He returned to filming with the team by mid-January 2026.
Is Phil Torres married? Wife and relationship status
Phil Torres is married to Silja Danielsen Torres, a Norwegian model and food blogger. The couple met in 2014 through a mutual scientist friend and developed a friendship before their relationship became romantic.
Torres proposed to Danielsen on the Norwegian island of Fedje, where her grandparents were married, making the location deeply meaningful to her family.
The couple married on September 23, 2018, in a sustainable wedding ceremony at the Nordic Museum in Seattle, Washington.
They chose this venue partly because Danielsen’s grandfather was a founder of the museum, and it was designed by a Scandinavian architect. Their wedding was attended by 130 guests and featured eco-friendly elements reflecting their shared values.
Silja Danielsen is a full-time model represented by major agencies and also runs a food and travel platform called Silja From Scratch.
She is known for her Norwegian heritage and shares recipes, healthy eating tips, and family travel content. The couple divides their time between Seattle and various locations for Torres’s filming commitments and Danielsen’s modeling work.
Phil Torres’s children
Phil Torres and Silja Danielsen have two daughters with a third child expected in June 2026. Their first daughter, Atlis Bjear Torres, was born on March 20, 2022, during the Spring Equinox.
Their second daughter, Fjora Birdie Torres, was born on March 15, 2025. Remarkably, Fjora was born in her amniotic sac (known as being “born in the caul”), and her labor started on the day of a solar eclipse.
In September 2025, the couple announced they are expecting their third child, a baby boy, who is due to arrive in June 2026.
Both Torres and Danielsen have shared their joy about becoming parents to three children while balancing demanding careers.
The family often travels together for Torres’s work commitments, and they maintain an active outdoor lifestyle that includes hiking, beach trips, and exploring nature with their daughters.
Phil Torres’s social media presence
As of January 2026, Phil Torres has approximately 271,000 followers on Instagram where he shares content about his television work, field research, family life, and wildlife encounters.
He posts regularly about new episodes of Expedition X, behind-the-scenes footage from filming locations, and educational content about insects and biodiversity.
Torres also maintains a presence on Facebook with over 64,000 followers and on TikTok where he has accumulated 59,000 followers.
His social media content focuses on science communication, making complex biological concepts accessible to general audiences through short videos and engaging photography.
He uses the handle @phil_torres across platforms and frequently tags Discovery Channel and HBO Max when promoting Expedition X episodes.
Fast facts about Phil Torres
- Torres discovered a spider species in Peru that creates elaborate decoy spiders in its web as a defense mechanism, a finding that made international headlines in 2012.
- He lived in the Amazon Rainforest for two years conducting field research and managing conservation projects.
- Torres speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and jokingly refers to his ability to understand howler monkey vocalizations from his Amazon research.
- His sister is Eve Torres Gracie, a three-time WWE Divas Champion who retired from wrestling and now teaches women’s self-defense.
- He hosted over 70 episodes of TechKnow on Al Jazeera America, covering cutting-edge science and technology stories.
- Torres has done research and covered science stories in Mongolia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Cambodia, Sweden, and numerous other countries.
- He was the live in-field correspondent for PBS’s American Spring Live, reporting on wildlife behavior during spring migration.
- Torres’s scientific discoveries have been featured by Wired, BBC, Animal Planet, ABC News, National Geographic, and The Wall Street Journal.
- He leads specialized ecotourism trips to remote locations, combining adventure travel with scientific education.
- Torres published new scientific research in November 2025 documenting defensive decoy behavior in spiders from different continents.
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Wrapping up
Phil Torres has built a remarkable career bridging the worlds of rigorous scientific research and engaging television entertainment.
From discovering new spider species in the Peruvian Amazon to investigating paranormal mysteries on Discovery Channel, the 39-year-old biologist has proven that science communication can be both educational and thrilling.
His journey from Cornell University entomology student to hosting over 100 hours of documentary television demonstrates his passion for making science accessible to global audiences.
Torres continues to balance his professional commitments with family life alongside his wife Silja and their growing family.
As Expedition X enters its 11th season in 2026, Torres remains a prominent voice in science media, inspiring viewers to appreciate biodiversity while exploring the unexplained.
With a third child on the way and ongoing television projects, the Seattle-based host shows no signs of slowing down his adventures across the globe.
References
- Phil Torres Official Website. “About Phil Torres”.
- Discovery Channel. “Get to Know Expedition X Host Phil Torres”.
- Brides Magazine. “Phil Torres and Silja Danielsen’s Sustainable Seattle Wedding”.
- Cornell CALS News. “Exploration for Conservation with Phil Torres ’07”.
- USA Science & Engineering Festival. “Phil Torres Biography”.
- Rainforest Expeditions. “New species of Decoy Spider discovered at Tambopata Research Center”.
- IMDb. “Phil Torres Biography”.
- Distractify. “Here’s Why Phil Torres Is Missing From Expedition X Season 11”.
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