Golden Silk Orb-Weaver

Trichonephila clavipes

Found in Floridaarachnids

2 Mostly harmless danger 2 out of 5

Photo by Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

What you should know

The big yellow garden spider whose web actually shines gold in the sun. Its bite is weaker than a bee sting and it would much rather run away.

Its silk is so strong that people have woven real cloth out of it. It took a million spiders to make one cape.

Treat it with respect, keep your distance, and tell a grown-up if you see one up close.

Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant. If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.

Read more about the golden silk orb-weaver at Wikipedia.