Non-Snake Specimen (Spotted Orbweaver)
Neoscona crucifera • Araneae (Order), Araneomorphae (Suborder), Araneidae (Family), Neoscona (Genus), N. crucifera (Species)
Common across North America, particularly in the United States from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains and into Mexico.
Look up Non-Snake Specimen (Spotted Orbweaver) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Venomous (Possesses chelicerae, not fangs in the reptilian sense)
Danger Level
Harmless; they are non-aggressive and typically only bite if squeezed or handled roughly. Bites are comparable to a bee sting.
Family
Araneae (Order), Araneomorphae (Suborder), Araneidae (Family), Neoscona (Genus), N. crucifera (Species)
Conservation
Not Evaluated (IUCN), but common and widespread with no major threats.
Physical Description
A hairy spider with a globose abdomen. Ventral side shows two white 'broken-L' shaped marks. Dorsal pattern is often mottled brown or gray, sometimes with a faint cross-like shape.
Size & Dimensions
Females range from 9-20mm in body length; males are significantly smaller (5-10mm). The specimen shown appears to be a mature female.
Habitat
Found in forests, fields, gardens, and suburban areas. They are frequently seen on man-made structures مثل porches and fences where lights attract prey.
Behavior & Temperament
Nocturnal; they build new orb webs every evening and often consume them in the morning. They are docile and stay in the center of the web at night.
Diet & Feeding
Insectivorous; they use an orb web to trap flying insects, then wrap them in silk and delivered a bite to paralyze the prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous; females lay eggs in a silk sac during autumn, which hatch in the spring. Adults typically die after the first heavy frost.
Venom Profile
Mild neurotoxic venom used for immobilizing small insects; not considered medically significant to humans.
Look-alikes
Araneus diadematus (Cross Orbweaver), which has distinct white dots forming a clearer cross, and Neoscona domiciliorum (Hentz Orbweaver).
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated (IUCN), but common and widespread with no major threats.
Cultural Significance
Crucial for natural pest control in gardens and around homes, consuming large quantities of mosquitoes and flies.
Notable Features
This specimen is mistakenly identified as a snake by the user; it is an arachnid featuring eight legs and an orb-web weaving behavior.