Golden Orb Web Weaver - Romantic Nature

This photograph entails a male Golden Orb Web Weaver (Nephila genus) hitching a ride on a much larger female spider. Romance in Nature is always entertaining and unique.

comments (12)

Sunil R Agadi

Lion

Great shot. Promoted. Posted 10 years ago
1. Living Wild
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks a lot. Appreciate it. Posted 10 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

This is fantastic, I've never seen them side by side like this. What an enormous difference! Posted 10 years ago
1. Living Wild
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks a lot. I agree ... the difference is enormous. At first I had thought it was a baby spider, but when I read up on this species, I came to learn it was actually a male. I was amazed. Posted 10 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

From today's Facebook post:

Well, isn’t this romantic? Not only does the banded-legged golden orb-web spider (Nephila senegalensis) have an incredibly long common name, but the species also has extreme sexual dimorphism. Females are dramatically larger than the males, as you can see in this photo of a male spider hitching a ride on a female of the same species. It’s unclear why the males are so much smaller than females…Small size may make them more nimble or maybe it makes them seem less threatening. Whatever the reason, size clearly isn’t an issue for this species. {Spotted in Namibia by JungleDragon user, Living Wild} #JungleDragon #Nephila #Wildlove #Nephilasenegalensis

https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife/ Posted 5 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Wonderful! Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    It's such a fascinating relationship! I read that the females can be up to 1000x heavier than the males...I didn't include that stat in the post though because I couldn't confirm the number with a second source. But, the size difference is still pretty incredible! Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Imagine that at human scale lol. Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Hahaha, no! Posted 5 years ago

Wendy

Lion

Great shot! Posted 4 years ago

Patomarazul

Lion

Amazing! Posted 4 years ago

Christine Young

Lion
Today's Facebook post:

Have you ever wondered what 'love' looks like in nature? In honor of Valentine's Day, February 14th, here are 14 photos that give glimpses into the world of wild romance! #JungleDragon #wildlove

For more wild love:
- Wild Love
https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife/
Posted 3 years ago

The Banded-legged Golden Orb-web Spider

The spider species ''Nephila senegalensis'' is commonly known as the banded-legged golden orb-web spider. The name comes from the fact that the joints of the spider are typically coloured a golden yellow. It is common in the savannas of South Africa. Males are much smaller than females. These spiders are diurnal and weave impressive webs.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by WildFlower