Orb-weaver Spider

spiders · web builders · nature architects

Spiral wheel webs. Orb-weavers create those stunning circular webs that look like wagon wheels. The web's spiral design is perfect for catching flying insects like flies and moths.

Eight similar eyes. Unlike many spiders that have eyes of different sizes, orb-weavers have eight eyes that are all quite similar to each other. Even with all those eyes, they still rely heavily on feeling vibrations in their web to know when prey has arrived.

Hairy or spiny legs. Orb-weavers have legs covered in hairs or spines that help them grip their web and feel vibrations. These special legs make them excellent climbers and web-walkers.

Found everywhere. You can find orb-weaver spiders in gardens, fields, and forests all around the world. They are one of the most common types of spiders that spin webs.

Silent hunters. Unlike some spiders that make sounds called stridulation, orb-weavers have no sound-making organs. They hunt silently, waiting patiently for vibrations to tell them when something has landed in their web.