Oct 20, 2009

Gigantic Orb Weaver

Continuing with the orb weaver theme, here's the latest and greatest from Madagascar.

Researchers have discovered Nephila komaci, the largest web spinning spider known to man. Yippee. Another beast to fuel my nightmares.




















The females can have a legspan of 4.7 inches and spin a web over three feet across. The males are rather small, as seen in this mated pair. Big Mama is giving Little Papa a ride (or something like that).

Thanks for the link, Terri.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is some pretty amazing sexual dimorphism.

Wudas said...

Obviously, it's not what you have but how you use it.

Unknown said...

Why is it that the females in most species seem to "carry" the males throughout life? Just a thought.