#Orb Weavers

While most species of orb weavers are quite the tiny arachnids, some species especially those in the Nephila genus can grow to have a legspan nearing 5 inches. Check out the reach on this fella from @invertexpertise which is exploring the newfound landscape of a human arm. Although their size is amazing to see, their webs are even more impressive. Such spiders can spin silky creations that can reach 1 meter in diameter, with the strength to even catch a bird. How insane is that!? Check out @invertexpertise for much more amazing content!

Stay golden 😉 The giant golden orb weavers are among some of the largest true spiders on earth and have an appetite to match! Their large gold-tinted orb webs can ensnare powerful flying insects, and even the occasional small bird! Despite their intimidating exterior, these arachnids are quite placid and very rarely bite unless pinned or pinched against the skin. When bites do occur, they are rarely more than a small itchy bump that lasts a short while before fading away. Spiders certainly can be creepy sure, but the vast majority are completely harmless to us humans and we benefit greatly from the services they provide! Would you ever hold a spider this big? Let me know in the comments below! #orbweaver #giantgoldenorbweaver #giantspider #giantspiders #spidersofinstagram

Ever seen a cricket turn into a mummy? Orb weavers have a fascinating technique for wrapping their prey. After catching an insect in their web, they quickly immobilize it by spinning silk around it. They use their hind legs to pull the silk from their spinnerets, wrapping it tightly and methodically to ensure the prey can’t escape. This process not only secures the insect but also helps keep it fresh for later consumption. The precision and speed of their wrapping can be quite impressive to observe! #araneusdiadematus #spiders #tarantulas #tarantulakeeper #pets #animals #insects #arachnids #petspider #orbweaver

When keeping golden silk orb weavers from the Nephila genus, why not just let them free roam the room? Despite their fearsome appearance, they aren't dangerous at all to humans. Additionally, they are probably catching all of the pesty flies and mosquitoes that are flying around. The spiders will spin circular webs that may reach 5 feet in diameter. Threads of silk are even yellow and golden in the sunlight, giving these arachnids their common name. Birds and small bats can even get stuck in these webs, giving testament to the structures' incredible strength. Check out @mantispassion for much more!

SPIDER INVASION, OUR SUMMER IS OVER! Just kidding, Coyote Pack. Like many of you, I have seen all the negative webs being spun about the invasion of Joro Spiders recently on the news and social media. These spiders are orb weavers, similar to the spiders we filmed with for our spider helmet episode. YES, these arachnids are technically invasive because they are native to East Asia; however, they are absolutely harmless to humans and here are 5 misconceptions about them:   Misconception: Joro spiders are dangerous to humans. Clarification: Joro spiders are harmless to humans. Their venom targets small prey, not people. A rare bite may cause minor irritation like a bee sting.   Misconception: All orb weaver spiders, including Joro spiders, are aggressive. Clarification: Orb weavers, including Joro spiders, are non-aggressive and bite only in self-defense. They prefer to flee from humans.   Misconception: Joro spiders will invade and damage homes. Clarification: Joro spiders prefer outdoor spaces for their webs and are unlikely to seek out homes or cause damage.   Misconception: All spiders are venomous and pose a threat to humans. Clarification: While most spiders are venomous, Joro spiders’ venom is harmless to humans, targeting only insects.   Misconception: The presence of Joro spiders indicates an unhealthy ecosystem. Clarification: Joro spiders help control insect populations, indicating a healthy, thriving ecosystem

I made this as a simple intro to “true” spiders vs. tarantulas for a general audience, but for the nerds who want to know a little more: All spiders are in the scientific order Araneae. True spiders belong to the infraorder “Araneomorphae,” and the other major group of spiders is Mygalomorphae, which includes tarantulas as well as trapdoor spiders and funnel-web spiders (I didn’t really discuss the other two in this vid because 1. More complicated 2. I don’t keep the other two as much/have enough footage to do so). The easiest way to tell apart these two groups are the chelicerae (fangs): True spiders (Araneomorphae) have opposing mouthparts that pinch and usually just two lungs while Mygalomorphs have chelicerae that move up and down and have four lungs! So basically we have: Araneae (all spiders) ⬇️ Mygalomorphs and Araneamorphs ⬇️ ⬇️ Tarantulas, funnel webs, trapdoors ⬇️ Orb weavers, wolf spiders, jumping spiders, widows, many more In the spider-keeping hobby, this distinction is often simplified and focused on care differences rather than evolutionary context. But this distinction is hugely important and fascinating in scientific research when looking at evolutionary divergence, molecular evolution, venom and silk research, and ecological function

Nephila spiders can be quite odd. Males will molt for around 5 times and reach adulthood, but females will continue to grow for several more molts and reach gigantic sizes. Pictured here is a male and female pair of the same species! Even their lifestyle are pretty distinct from one another too. Maturation sees the male orb weavers actually lose their ability to spin any sort of silk. This means that all males must find a female to live with in order to survive and catch food. Throughout their own species, they become kleptoparasites of themselves. Check out @bridgettegower for much more!

I’m obsessed with orb weavers

Ng this sign gave me pause before we went into the bug zoo. Fortunately little orb weavers were adorably tiny and seemed happy to stay in their webs on the ceiling #spider #orbweaver #goldenorbweaver #bugzoo #spiderweb #bugsofinstagram #spidersofinstagram #butterflyworld #addamsfamily

Spider on the strings. Watch closely. This spiny orb weaver is tending to her web, carefully managing the silk threads that form her hunting trap. I have seen a few comments suggesting this might be a crab spider, but that is not correct. Orb weavers build intricate capture webs designed to intercept flying insects. Every strand is produced by the spider and maintained constantly. The web is both a trap and a vibration sensor that tells the spider when prey has arrived. Crab spiders hunt in a completely different way. They do not build capture webs. Instead they rely on ambush, waiting motionless on flowers or leaves before seizing visiting insects with their powerful front legs. #orbweaver #spiderweb #natgeoyourshot

I made this as a simple intro to “true” spiders vs. tarantulas for a general audience, but for the nerds who want to know a little more: All spiders are in the scientific order Araneae. True spiders belong to the infraorder “Araneomorphae,” and the other major group of spiders is Mygalomorphae, which includes tarantulas as well as trapdoor spiders and funnel-web spiders (I didn’t really discuss the other two in this vid because 1. More complicated 2. I don’t keep the other two as much/have enough footage to do so). The easiest way to tell apart these two groups are the chelicerae (fangs): True spiders (Araneomorphae) have opposing mouthparts that pinch and usually just two lungs while Mygalomorphs have chelicerae that move up and down and have four lungs! So basically we have: Araneae (all spiders) ⬇️ Mygalomorphs and Araneamorphs ⬇️ ⬇️ Tarantulas, funnel webs, trapdoors ⬇️ Orb weavers, wolf spiders, jumping spiders, widows, many more In the spider-keeping hobby, this distinction is often simplified and focused on care differences rather than evolutionary context. But this distinction is hugely important and fascinating in scientific research when looking at evolutionary divergence, molecular evolution, venom and silk research, and ecological function

🕷️ Spiders in America are a common part of the landscape, living in nearly every environment from forests and deserts to basements and backyards. They play an important role in controlling insect populations, making them a quiet but valuable part of the ecosystem. While some species, like the black widow or brown recluse, are known for their venom and can cause concern, most spiders are harmless to humans. Many are rarely noticed, weaving webs in corners or hunting quietly at night. The variety of spiders across the country is wide, with each region home to species adapted to its climate and terrain. Orb weavers create large circular webs in gardens and wooded areas, while wolf spiders are known for roaming the ground in search of prey. Jumping spiders, with their quick movements and curious behavior, are often spotted in homes and on windowsills. Though they may not always be welcome guests, spiders in America are an important reminder of the balance in nature, serving a purpose that often goes unseen. (Austin Day via Viralhog) - #trial