Orb-Weaver Spider

Category:

Actual Size: 6 mm to 20 mm

Characteristics: Very long legs. Orange, black, or brown bodies.

Legs: 8

Habitat: Generally found outdoors in gardens or backyards where they build large, circular webs.

Habits:

  • Most active in the summer. 
  • Webs can be as large as six feet in diameter. 
  • Not aggressive and actually beneficial to the environment.

Orb-Weaver Spiders in Anaheim

Orb-weaver spiders are one of the most recognizable species thanks to their iconic, circular-shaped webs that are often found in gardens, forests, and fields. These spiders are common across the globe, except in the Arctic and Antarctica. Orb-weavers are usually large, colorful, and easy to spot from a distance. They spin intricate webs with concentric circles, usually in the garden. Once the web is fully built, the orb-weaver will wait patiently for nearby prey to wander into the sticky silk. Since these spiders don’t have great vision, they rely on web vibrations to detect and identify their food.

Orb-Weaver Spider Habitat

Orb weavers, like all spiders, are carnivorous creatures that primarily dine on insects and small animals caught in their sticky webs. They are most common during the summer, particularly in gardens and around homes. Orb-weavers craft sizable, circular webs that can span up to six feet or more, often between buildings and shrubs. Homeowners might not notice them unless they step outside at night and see the web illuminated or accidentally walk into it in the dark. These spiders often use the roof’s eaves as upper support, attaching the bottom frame lines to a shrub or the ground.

Orb-Weaver Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Orb weavers have the ability to bite, but it’s a rare occurrence and their bites are not harmful to humans. Orb weavers are pretty harmless, though they can be bothersome when they construct large webs in inconvenient places for people. Sometimes, they venture indoors and spin webs in doorways or window sills. Despite their imposing appearance, orb-weaver spiders are not aggressive and pose no danger. However, be cautious not to walk into their substantial, sticky webs at night, as the sensation of one crawling on your face can be extremely unsettling.