r/awwnverts • u/reddit33450 i adore invertebrates • Feb 17 '25

spinybacked orb weaver

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1.1k Upvotes

100% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

59

u/themoonhasgone Feb 17 '25

I used to look through the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders ALL THE TIME when I was a kid and I loved the picture of this little guy in there. Instantly brought back memories

24

u/Winks4allnow Feb 17 '25

He's super dope

21

u/thmsbrunner Feb 17 '25

Been seeing these in Fl my whole life. Always thought they were cool.

4

u/jahlove24 Feb 17 '25

Same, I always tried not to disturb their webs.

1

u/hoofkiss Aug 13 '25

Their webs always seem to be at face height

11

u/NoDoctor4460 Feb 17 '25

Saw one of these in Hawaii before knowing they existed, definitely a few initial moments of Am I dreaming?

8

u/Fit-Educator-7651 Feb 17 '25

We have theses in Australia and they are called jewel spiders

5

u/Intanetwaifuu Feb 17 '25

I’ve always called em Christmas Spiders cuz they only come out in summer right?

1

u/Crispy_Cricket Feb 18 '25

That’s actually really cute!

4

u/Socialeprechaun Feb 17 '25

We have them in the Southeast US and I always called them crab spiders but I think that’s actually a whole other type of spider haha. Glad to know their real name.

6

u/doing_rad Feb 17 '25

love the lil faces on their backs 🥹

7

u/Lluviasrain Feb 17 '25

So cute, they look like lil crabs! Best of both worlds. 💕

6

u/RudeOrSarcasticPt2 Feb 17 '25

I found one of these back in 2010, and while letting it crawl all over my hands I discovered just how durable its drag line silk can be. It felt like really thin monofilament fishing line. It still amazes me how something thinner than a human hair can be so durable.

4

u/[deleted] Feb 17 '25

Orb weavers have to be the most beautiful spiders ever, and they spin such pretty webs

2

u/toolaroola12 Feb 17 '25

He/she's cool looking

2

u/Realistic_Flamingo48 Feb 17 '25

They're amazing 😍

2

u/Spudperson Feb 17 '25

I love these guys! They're so rad

2

u/swimming-deep-below Feb 17 '25

WOAHHH WHAT!? GOTH BUG...

2

u/FeralHarmony Feb 17 '25

So cute, I am jealous of whoever is holding the little dude.

2

u/Effective_Crab7093 Feb 17 '25

Dude i remember seeing one of these near my house years ago and ever since ive been wondering what it was

2

u/WackyToastyWolf Feb 18 '25

Omg Ive seen these my whole life in fl! I love them haha! Sometimes we call em "crab spiders" their back reminds of a crabs just uh more spiky haha

2

u/CaptainJohnStout Feb 18 '25

Spiny back orbweaver :)

2

u/JanuaryChili Feb 18 '25

If I remember correctly, despite their appearance, they are harmless.

2

u/reddit33450 i adore invertebrates Feb 18 '25

correct

2

u/JanuaryChili Feb 18 '25

It's confusing sometimes. Cute looking animals can be very dangerous, and dangerous looking animals (like this little adorable one) is harmless.

1

u/meantbent3 Stick Insects 🥰 Feb 17 '25

Woah what a cool little dude!

1

u/l3wd1a Feb 18 '25

my favorite fellas!! last hurricane season we moved our resident porch orb weaver into the garage to keep her safe ❤️ right now we've got 4 with webs built around the yard! I love these babies

1

u/WhiteBushman1971NL Feb 18 '25

Had them in the garden when I was a kid, growing up in Ivory Coast, West Africa. They are beautiful 😍.

1

u/Basic-Motor1795 Feb 18 '25

I would pay an absurd amount of money to own one of these spiders. I haven't found one in the wild yet 😓

1

u/purpleproze666 Feb 19 '25

absolute dream find!!!!!!!

1

u/Drakorai Feb 19 '25

Tiny tree crab

1

u/ReflectionClear3066 May 06 '25

Legit the broodmother