Araneus gemmoides (cat-faced spider) help please!

[mystiCAT]

Hello, I'm new to the the forum. I have a female Araneus gemmoides living outside in my yard. I noticed her in June and I have been keeping an eye on her ever since. I live in Utah and the nights are in the forty degrees Fahrenheit range. The week before the temp at night was in the 35 degree range with constant rain for 3 days. I'm worried about her because she hasn't moved from her current position hiding face first under a ledge since the rain. Bugs are scarce now and it will continue to get colder.

She has not made an egg sac yet. I saw a male araneus in her web weeks ago so I believe her eggs are viable. I want to give her a chance to make an egg sac before she dies. I'm not sure what I should do to help her. I know she's alive because I woke her one night last week. She walked on my hand and arm a bit but she was very slow and weak. Please let me know what I should do...

 

[Ungoliant]

I want to give her a chance to make an egg sac before she dies.

If you bring her into a garage or some place slightly warmer, you might increase the odds.

However, consider that since they live in your area, they must be successfully reproducing every year. Therefore, it may not be necessary to intervene at all.

 

[schmiggle]

She would naturally move very slowly on a cold night, even if she was perfectly healthy (as far as I know). The cold temperatures mean bodily processes just cannot move as fast in cold blooded animals. I agree with Ungoliant that there may be no need to intervene.

 

[mystiCAT]

Thanks for the replies. Both of your suggestions match what I already believe. For now, I will let nature take it's course. I will still keep an eye on her. I will be very sad to see her go.