bird eater

[Randolph XX()]

Nephila maculata photo by sgunpower,Taiwan
bbs://bbs.nchu.edu.tw/

 

[dotdman]

Now there's something you don't see in North Carolina. Beautiful spider!

Kindest kindest,

Kevin P.

 

[Wade]

Actually, Nephila claviapes occurs in NC, but primarily in coastal regions.

Wade

 

[NRF]

Is the bird put in the web or does Nephila really capture birds?

 

[Randolph XX()]

captured

cuz it's kinda hard to throw a bird into a web meters above properly without missing or breaking the web
lizard or other animals might be easier

 

[cacoseraph]

captured

cuz it's kinda hard to throw a bird into a web which is meters above properly without missing or breaking the web
lizard or other animals might be easier

i've read naturalists finding birds or evidence of birds in Nephila webs

natives use Nephila webs to catch fish... VERY strong stuff

thing i find amusing it the special golden color of their webs likely comes from waste products

 

[dotdman]

Actually, Nephila claviapes occurs in NC, but primarily in coastal regions.

Wade

That I did not know. I'll have to go hunting for a few next time I'm on the coast... Thanks for the info

Kindest kindest,

Kevin P.

 

[Galapoheros]

That is really amazing! That is a good pic. I've only seen these on nature shows.

 

[Bungholio]

This photo is indeed amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Never saw a photo like that.

 

[pitbulllady]

I have seen bird remains in the webs of Nephila clavipes down in Louisiana and in Florida. Ironically, these spiders are very docile with humans, though their webs will literally stop you in your tracks if you walk into one!

pitbulllady

 

[Stylopidae]

cool photo...is there a store online that specializes in these?

I'd be interested to see what one of the larger Nephila species would do in my house.

 

[Galapoheros]

I have seen bird remains in the webs of Nephila clavipes down in Louisiana and in Florida. Ironically, these spiders are very docile with humans, though their webs will literally stop you in your tracks if you walk into one!

pitbulllady

Does anyone on the forum know if their range reaches any part of Texas? And how far north in Louisiana do they occur?

 

[quinquestriatus]

Excellent photo. I want one. Very cool spider. I've heard of spiders catchin' birds in their webs. Looks like I have to update my wish list again.

 

[Randolph XX()]

Captive breeding of Naphila spiders is still rare, and most of Nephila spicies in trade are mostly wild caught
In my experience, N.maculata is hard to keep indoor, because they need high ventalization and humidity. If you keep them outdoor in open, there are chances they get eaten by other animals since their webbing spot are not as safe as their natural ones. So better keep them in a good size mesh enclosure
males of Naphila sp are tiny just like some deep sea fish, but i hope more hobbyist put efforts into this amazing birdeating spiders!
BTW, i've never seen bird remains in the wild since the location of their webs are quite hard to reach in Taiwan (in branches meters away like in midair), and i'd like to see one , so somebody plz post the photos

 

[RVS]

I remember I once accidently walked into a Nephila claviapes web in the Everglades region of Fl. It actually took a bit of effort to get through, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if these spiders regulary capture birds.

 

[CedrikG]

impressive, thats the first time I see that

 

[bistrobob85]

First time for me too!!!! Wow, my compliments to the guy who took the pic, great quality and really surprising!!!!

 

[Wade]

Does anyone on the forum know if their range reaches any part of Texas? And how far north in Louisiana do they occur?

I believe they get into at least the extreme eastern part of Texas, and maybe down the gulf coast. They apparently occur as far north as Virginia, although they have not yet been officially recorded in this state.

Wade