# Orb-weaver Spider (*Araneidae*) Orb-weaver Spiders are famous for their beautiful, round webs. They are great at catching insects in their sticky traps. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Gardens and forests - **Also known as:** Common Orb-weaver, Orb-weaver ![Orb-weaver Spider](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426147/objects/5574.jpg) ## Appearance The Orb-weaver Spider is known for its often large, rounded abdomen, which can be smooth or spiky and brightly colored with intricate patterns. Many species have hairy legs. They are distinguished by their classic, geometrically perfect spiral webs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Araneae - **Family:** Araneidae - **Genus:** Araneus ## Interesting facts - Many orb-weavers are active at night, spinning a fresh, sticky web daily. - Some gigantic orb-weaver webs can stretch across streams and even small rivers. - Some species decorate their webs with zig-zag silk patterns called stabilimenta. - Their amazing silk is stronger than steel by weight, yet super stretchy! ## Special abilities - **Web Architect:** Orb-weaver Spiders can spin incredibly strong and intricate spiral webs using specialized silk glands that help them efficiently capture flying insects. - **Vibration Sensor:** Orb-weaver Spiders have tiny, sensitive hairs on their legs and body that help them feel subtle vibrations from trapped prey or approaching dangers. - **Silk Recycler:** Orb-weaver Spiders can eat their old or damaged silk webs, reusing the protein to build a fresh, strong web almost every single night. - **Sticky Trap Master:** Orb-weaver Spiders have several types of silk, including very sticky strands that help them snare and hold struggling prey securely in their webs. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 3-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 180-365 days - **Leg Count:** 8 ## Diet & Feeding These spiders mainly eat insects caught in their amazing sticky webs. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Moths, Beetles, Mosquitoes, Grasshoppers - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Traps flies in its sticky web. - **Hunts:** [Black Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-swallowtail) (*Papilio polyxenes*) — Catches butterflies and moths that fly into its web. - **Eats:** [European Hornet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hornet) (*Vespa crabro*) — Some hornets can attack and eat spiders. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds frequently feed on spiders and their egg sacs. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Web Builder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/web-builder): This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Orb-weaver Spider? Compare body proportions, leg shape, abdomen markings and the web, if there is one. Eye arrangement can be decisive but rarely shows up in a casual phone photo. A web is a supporting clue, not proof of who built it. Spider Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Orb-weaver Spider? 3-30 mm ### How long does Orb-weaver Spider live? 180-365 days ### What does Orb-weaver Spider eat? These spiders mainly eat insects caught in their amazing sticky webs. ### Where is Orb-weaver Spider usually found? Gardens and forests ### How does Orb-weaver Spider hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Orb-weaver Spider have? 8 ## Where to spot - [California Academy of Sciences](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-academy-of-sciences-california) — California, US · Zoo ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Orb-weaver Spider: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orb-weaver-spider)