An Intimate Moment with The Large Garden Arachnid
Published by The last time I had a close encounter with a large spider was when I walked face first into a huge spider web while bashing through some bushes. While I’m not arachnophobic, that was truly a heebie jeebies moment for me.
The most common question most people ask about spiders is whether they bite. Well, the more accurate question to ask is whether a spider is venomous or not since all large spiders may bite when provoked. Now that does not make things any easier for you doesn’t it? Well, what if I also say that the bigger they are, the more painful their bite is. Now if you think this article is getting creepy, I have to warn you that it will get even creepier as you read on.
Golden Orb-Web Spider http://www.flickr.com/photos/oom_piet/3158860107/
The Golden Orb-Web Spider in my Backyard
Did I mention that I once took the path of a Golden orb-web spider’s victim and walked directly into it’s web trap and gave it an unintentional kiss? It was a brief romance but I think I made an impression on the spider as it did to me. I just discovered this week that a Golden orb-web spider had taken residence in my own backyard. She has finally found out where I live. The Golden orb-web spider (its scientific name Nephila pilipes) can be commonly found in Singapore, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, India, China, Japan and North America. This spider species sets up its golden sticky wheel-like orb web especially in open forested areas, woodlands, coastal sand dune shrub land and mangrove habitats.
The Golden orb-web spider is venomous but its venom is not lethal to humans. That’s why I rather give her a flying kiss from a distance- especially right after I told her that I was not into her. Everyone knows that certain female spider species eat their mate. I’m not taking any chances.
What Does It Feed On?
Golden orb web spiders feed on flies, beetles, locusts, wood moths and cicadas that gets stuck to its web. Occasionally small birds and bats gets trapped in its powerful web. The spider would wrap them up and feed upon them. I wonder how can I convince my Golden orb-web spider to go only on an all insect diet. Any ideas? If you are looking for a Golden Orb Web lover, do send me a message. I’ll let her know that someone else wants to have an intimate moment with her. I don’t mind sharing her around you know. Didn’t I mention to you that I’m not into her?
More articles by Sharif Ishnin:
How to Survive Venomous Creepy Crawlies at Your Home
Childhood Pastime Revisited: Plastic Soldiers at War!
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Liked it
On April 24, 2011 at 12:09 am
wow, reminds me of the nursery rhyme, but forgot how to spell it. Dangerous…. but you can avoid it….. if it’s a human being also, lol…
interesting as always, mate.
On April 24, 2011 at 12:10 am
I hate spiders. We have the Brown Recluse and the Black widow here and both are quite poisonous.
On April 24, 2011 at 12:26 am
Very interesting. I think Star was referring to “Little Miss Muffet” rhymes.
On April 24, 2011 at 12:35 am
Very interesting. I have a spider in my house, a tiny black one. I don’t know what species it is. I remember using an A4 paper to transfer her from my room to my sister’s since my sister wanted her.
On April 24, 2011 at 12:36 am
Don’t know why spiders fascinates me but I’m so afraid of them,lol! Your spider is so incredible,lol! To think that they can eat small birds and bats,oh my!
On April 24, 2011 at 12:43 am
Informative and interesting.
On April 24, 2011 at 12:52 am
interesting…!
On April 24, 2011 at 12:56 am
I’ve had one of those intimate moments also Sharif (kissing a spider by walking into it’s web through trees) although it wasn’t as big as your Golden orb web – thankfully! Perhaps you had better not ‘’sit on a tuffet, and eat curds and whey” in your garden for a while.
On April 24, 2011 at 1:09 am
I’m scared of spiders – they can be really dangerous.
On April 24, 2011 at 1:10 am
Good thing for you, the spider does not feed on men. Or you’d probably on its list for the hit and run.lol
On April 24, 2011 at 1:16 am
good post
On April 24, 2011 at 1:25 am
I hope there’s not too many of these lurking in Singapore!
On April 24, 2011 at 2:21 am
Its a good thing she doesn’t have a gun, remember the granny.
On April 24, 2011 at 2:26 am
She did not turn into a princess when you kissed it? Too bad I guess it works only with frogs.
Looks creepy enough although I’m not terrified of spiders, I wouldn’t want such a close encounter with it. It does give you the heebie jeebies (haven’t read that expression in a long while lol!)
On April 24, 2011 at 3:11 am
They must be quite big to even catch small birds and bats in their web
On April 24, 2011 at 3:30 am
part 2 comment :
@Anu / Lennox – Yes, Little Miss Muffet, sat on a tuffet… another one is Itsy Bitsy Spider, both are spider rhymes.. yeah..
oops, get out of point here…bye!
On April 24, 2011 at 4:24 am
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On April 24, 2011 at 5:38 am
Interesting about spiders my son enjoys watching spiders
On April 24, 2011 at 5:47 am
great one
On April 24, 2011 at 7:21 am
No, thanks. She is all yours, for I’m a certified spider-allergic.
I like how you combined humor and information in this piece.
On April 24, 2011 at 8:20 am
Welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly.
Good thing you are a human being with just one right & one left eye.
On April 24, 2011 at 9:27 am
spiders are cute and they can be very spooky as they appear out of nowhere, especially if we are not careful enough. Great write Sharif
On April 24, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Very well written.
On April 24, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I friggin’ hate spiders! They are so creepy.
Anyway, good article man, keep it up!
On April 24, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Well, since we don’t want you eaten…
On April 24, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Spider is fierce but it does not scare me.
On April 25, 2011 at 3:38 am
He he! I can imagine you walking into its web and kissing it. I bet the spider was a s shocked as you were. A thoroughly enjoyable post, Sharif.
On April 25, 2011 at 4:58 am
Thanks for sharing.
On April 25, 2011 at 6:40 am
LOL. That is quite a “Bad Romance.” Humor and info rolled into one. Enjoyable read.
On April 25, 2011 at 7:42 am
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On April 25, 2011 at 8:14 am
spiders are cool as long as they don’t bite
On April 25, 2011 at 8:28 am
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On April 25, 2011 at 9:05 am
A very witty post. I enjoyed it very much my brother. Thank you for sharing this adventurous moment Sharif.
On April 25, 2011 at 9:31 am
amazing…
On April 25, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Nice reading. Liked it.
On April 25, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I’m guessing my handy bug vacuum (http://www.perpetualkid.com/bug-sucking-mosquito-vacuum.aspx) would be useless in this scenario?
On April 25, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Your article was really interesting. I do not like spiders. I get a lot of them in my basement. I have to keep dusting to make sure that they do not leave spider webs.
On April 26, 2011 at 2:26 am
I hope this doesn’t break her heart but I’m nt into her either
On April 26, 2011 at 4:22 am
Another informative and in a way, light hearted approach, to this spider. Love the wit, Sharif
On April 26, 2011 at 5:02 am
You are very funny and that spider is very creepy.
On April 26, 2011 at 11:15 am
Spiders make interesting pets.
On April 26, 2011 at 11:22 am
Interesting and Scary specie…
On April 26, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Kissing a spider, oh no! Thanks for all the interesting spider facts.
On April 26, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I do not like spiders. but the spider in the photo is beautiful. great..
On April 26, 2011 at 8:46 pm
In England we have a very small spider called a money-spider.
If one lands on you, you are then supposed to be coming into money. I bet you wouldn’t mind kissing one of these!!
On April 26, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Love the humor in this. I am terrified of spiders. Found one dried up in the garage once and it gave me the creeps.
On April 27, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Hahah… Good thing u dint try & make love to it! As u already know, some female spiders kill their male counterpart
On April 28, 2011 at 2:40 pm
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LV Bags $ 19.9
LV Wallet $ 6.55
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LV Belt $ 6.9
Buy addresses-
— http://www.ashops.us—
Tips (48 hours after the special product is invalid)
On July 7, 2011 at 1:03 am
Large spiders would give me a chill because of their hairy feet. So, that spidey have been your stalker since the day you kissed her huh! hahaha! Just kidding.
On January 8, 2013 at 11:51 pm
Very nice article. I enjoyed!