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Orb-weaver spiders are part of the Aranidae family of spiders—the third-largest spiders on the planet.
There are more than 2,800 known species of orb-weaver spiders on the planet today, and they’re found on every continent except Antarctica!
While each species is unique in terms of size and colour, they all share some common characteristics.
As you can probably guess from their name, orb-weaver spiders make giant, round webs.
They often reach up to one yard (three feet) across or larger!
Typically, they feature a spiral of sticky silk threads to help capture prey, while non-sticky straight threads (known as radial threads) provide support.
Some webs even include a wild-looking zig-zag known as a stabilimentum.
Scientists are still not exactly sure why some spiders add these to their webs and others don’t!
Unlike some other spider species, orb-weavers don’t actively stalk or hunt their prey. Instead, they wait off to the side and out of sight, and let their food come to them.
If a small insect wanders or flies into the web, its sticky nature will trap them. Their struggle to escape will send vibrations down the web.
Then the spider knows dinner is served!
They’ll bite the trapped creature using their chelicera—fang-like spikes near the front of their mouth.
This will inject venom into their prey, paralyzing it so they can wrap it in silk and eat it later.
It’s like packing a lunch for school—only a little creepier!
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