SPIDER LOVE...A dangerous business

[Kray Gelder]

Golden Silk Orb Weavers, common here in SC, love to drape their webs across trails, sometimes in large groups. Oh, there's no scale here, but they are huge, half as big as your hand, or larger. Having one scampering around on you will make an old cripple dance a spritely jig! They are fairly docile, but if bitten, a person has little reaction to their type of venom, although because they have large jaws, you will know.

The little fellow is looking for love, and will test her mood by tapping the web. When he thinks the mission is GO, he will carefully approach from behind or the side, make his move, and then clear out. If she wasn't offended, she won't kill him and eat him, and he will hang around to repeat the tryst. His life is in her hands, and he is smitten. She may have a half dozen suitors hanging around, jockeying for access.

Thanks for looking.

 

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[Jim in Idaho]

Really good pic, Kray!
Jim

 

[WannaDig3687]

Good picture and info. But, it gives me the heebie jeebies!

 

[can_slaw]

What a cool post! Was not expecting it, and was pleasantly surprised!

 

[Terry Soloman]

Super shot!

 

[can_slaw]

Super shot!

Can you imagine going face to face with a spider half as big as your hand? Brass Kahonies right there!

 

[mextallion]

Do any of you know any ladies that behave just like that spider

 

[Davers]

Unfortunately , I was tempted by one 25 + years ago.

Still a sore spot.

 

[Kray Gelder]

Can you imagine going face to face with a spider half as big as your hand? Brass Kahonies right there!

Naw, they're just hangin' out, waiting for food. Get one on me, different story.

 

[tamrock]

I walked into the web of one of those hiking on some trail in Florida. I was working in Alachua, FL and came home every other weekend, so on the weekends there I'd go explore different places in Florida. I went to Daytona Beach, Cedar Keys, canoed some River up north, several times I'd go to Flagler Beach and actually got to see the space shuttle launch, which was totally awesome. One thing's for sure if you're into the bugs, Florida is a great place to live.

 

[Kray Gelder]

I walked into the web of one of those hiking on some trail in Florida. I was working in Alachua, FL and came home every other weekend, so on the weekends there I'd go explore different places in Florida. I went to Daytona Beach, Cedar Keys, canoed some River up north, several times I'd go to Flagler Beach and actually got to see the space shuttle launch, which was totally awesome. One thing's for sure if you're into the bugs, Florida is a great place to live.

Walking into a spider web triggers an unreasonable response in me. And these bugs down here in the South! Super sized, many suck blood, some have venom. I don't step off of the pavement without hosing myself down with Deet.

Wish I had seen the shuttle launch. An awesome machine.

 

[Rookster]

Good job Kray.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome photo!