As summer comes to a close in Australia, I am happy to report that
we didn't face any scary spiders this year...at least none of the deadly ones. Just above Will's play area in our patio garden, however, an enormous
Golden Orb built a web in late November, which she has defended, added on to, and strengthened during the entire season. Here she is close up:
She's about five inches (12.7 cm) long and her web is probably 15 feet (457.2 cm) at the longest point.
We haven't interfered with this spider because Golden Orbs are a 'good' spider. In fact, having them around reduces the chances that the deadly spiders (e.g.,
redbacks) will set up shop. There have been a few times when our spider has tried to extend her web at the height of my head, but that didn't last long. She has stayed there through all sorts of severe weather, including heavy rains and fierce winds. I'll be sad to see her disappear when it grows colder.
We haven't interfered with this spider because Golden Orbs are a 'good' spider. In fact, having them around reduces the chances that the deadly spiders (e.g., redbacks) will set up shop. There have been a few times when our spider has tried to extend her web at the height of my head, but that didn't last long. She has stayed there through all sorts of severe weather, including heavy rains and fierce winds. I'll be sad to see her disappear when it grows colder.
Check out this post with a picture of a spider in Queensland on Mooselet's blog. When you click on the link you'll see a gigantic spider on the wall in her house! (I believe it's a Huntsman). I let out a nervous laugh when I saw this. Just the day before, V. was complaining about the roaches and other many-legged insects that we occasionally find in our house. Although they are definitely ugly, our Atlanta bugs certainly don't inspire terror in a mere photograph. Check out Australia's Wolf spider in this picture! This comes from a web page titled "Spiders in Australia," and contains a photo line-up that rivals the FBI's Most Wanted list. Despite all these spiders with their scary sizes and hairy appendages, the website warns that "two spiders should be avoided, the Sydney Funnel-web and the Redback because their bites can be painful for some days." This website really downplays the perceived danger of these spiders, pointing out that no one has died from a spider bite in Australia since 1980 (a Sydney Funnel-web bite) and nobody has died from a Redback bite since 1956 because of the development of antivenoms. That's a relief...
