Day 118#: Marbled Orbweaver
Today's animal of the day is the Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus)!
Photo credit: Michelle Brosius
This species of orb-weaver spider can be found throughout North America and Eurasia, and usually builds its webs in moist forested areas, such as along the bank of a river or stream. They can come in a wide variety of different colors, such as pale yellow, reddish-brown, and even bright orange! Like most spiders, the females are significantly larger than the males and can grow up to 14 mm long, while the smaller males are typically around 7 mm. Females also have extremely rotund abdomens, which earned them the nickname "pumpkin spider", especially for the bright orange individuals.
Photo credit: Piccolo Namek
The adults are seen most commonly from the middle of summer until the first freeze of fall. The mating season takes place in October, and females will lay several hundred eggs at one time, which they encase in a silk cocoon to keep them safe and warm during the winter until the eggs hatch in the spring. Unlike some other orb-weaver spiders, such as garden spiders, the marbled orb-weaver will make a little hiding spot in its web, made from leaves and spider silk, that it will hide in while waiting for prey to get caught in its web.
