Spiny orb-weaver spider, Nigeria

Hello steemians

Today I would be sharing some interesting picture of one of God's marvelous creation, one of the creatures with high reflex's and sensitivity, though this creature are one of a kind; the spiny orb-weaver spider.

BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION

-	Kingdom

Animalia

-	Phylum

Anthropoda

-	Class

Aranchida

-	order

Araneae

-	Family

Araneidae

-	Genus

Gasteracantha

-	Species

Falcicornis

-	Common name

Spiny orb-weaver spider

HABITAT

these type of spiders are commonly found in all around the globe in countries like;
Nigeria
Ghana
Cameroon
Kenya

In Nigeria they are found in areas like;
Fences
Bushy areas
Gardens
Farms
Near houses

They usually prefer areas that have plenty of insects because they are predators as well.

BEHAVIOR

-	Web type

These insects usually build large circle(orb)-like web

They often rebuild the web every 1-3 deys

They usually sit at the center of the web waiting for prey(other insects ).

-	feeding

They feed on insects like
Mosquitoes
Flies
Moth
Tiny wasp

-	hunting method

detects vibration on the web
Quickly wraps prey in silk
Injects digestive enzymes and sucks out liquidified tissue from their prey.

-	defensive mechanism

Hard Spiny shell(main defense)

-	reproduction

Female lay egg sac that may contain over 100 eggs.
Spiderlings hatch and disperse through ballooning(floating with silk in the air).
Male are small and approach female ones with care.

-	lifespan

Typically 1 year, sometimes live longer in warm climate.

PHYSICAL BIOLOGY

-	physical structure

5-10mm(usually female insect are larger than male).
Hard, flat and covered with sharp spines for protection.
Usually have white,yellow and red patterns and black spikes.
These insects have eight legs.

BEHIND THE SCENE

Actually i don't know what to say if the pictures there would be acceptable because the spider was above me and I had to stand on a stool so that I would take a clear picture of it, made some errors and still tried to hold my balance on the stool for real it wasn't easy.....even the sun was scorching my eye, but I had a time to really noticed this creature I took common.

The spider had already finished building it home and settled for it prey b'cause that's what I assumed as it was just staying there.... And whenever I look at spider it took me back to my favorite childhood movie "THE SPIDER-MAN" though I still fan him as my best marvel heroes.

I found this spider at the backyard of my friend's house not just one, but they were numerous one was moving like "THE FLASH" while building it's home.

What I learn from it is a popular saying "the patient dog eats then fattest bone" though the patient spider eats the biggest food( like these busy files).

REFERENCES

SourceWorld Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2025-09-26.

SourcePreston-Mafham, Ken (1998). Spiders: Compact Study Guide and Identifier. Angus Books.

Here at blissful electronics, uyo, Akwaibom state, Nigeria is a place where you can see other creature that amaze science it self.

-	LOCATION