Orb weaver - ID/advice needed.

[Mad Hatter]

I found a very nice looking orb weaver by my apartment building's dumpster yesterday. Normally I don't catch spiders like this for my collection - I prefer to leave them be, but because of where this one was situated I knew one of my neighbors would probably also "discover" it and it would end badly for the spider. So, I put it in a container and took it to my apartment. It immediately balled up and wouldn't move for 10 - 12 hours. I just now put a criket in with it. It hasn't gone for it yet, but is moving around a whole lot now.

It's pinkish/reddish in color and seems very robust. I wish I could post a picture of it, but my brother has my digital camera and he's now 2 1/2 hours away. Except for the coloring, it looks very similar to the one in this thread:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=49493&highlight=weaver

I know these spiders don't do well in captivity if they do not have the space to create a full orb web. Should I attempt to keep it? Or should I try to find someplace to release it?

 

[WidowMaker]

I'd probably let it go. To be honest, wild caught orb weavers seem to be more 'touchy' than cb ones. Also you defianately have to have alot of room for them so they can fully create their webs. Find some nice quite place where it can be happy. Best wishes.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Thanks for the input. I'll try and find a good place to release it.

 

[darkeye]

Hannah,

It has been my experience that once settled in, most WC spiders do fairly well. I caught several Argiope aurianta earlier this summer, and after a breif adjustment time, they all made egg sacks and ate well. Even the ones in the "ready to ship deli containers" found a way to make a web.

Currently I have 2 very large wolf spiders saved from my lawn mower. They are both eating well and have made the enclosure to their liking...

I agree that your neighbors would have squished it... or worse!

Good save!

Regards,
Martin.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I looked in on it just now and it's eating the cricket I gave it. Actually, it's almost done with it. I may try keeping it for a while and see how that goes. It's a gorgeous spider. And there aren't a whole lot of places here that are secluded enough for it to live undisturbed.

 

[darkeye]

Sounds like a nice big screen enclosure would do it just fine at your place!

 

[Mad Hatter]

Well, I kept it for a while, and it seemed to be doing just fine. It just would make such a racket at night, scraping at the sides of it's enclosure, so I thought it would be kinder to let it go. I found a nice secluded place where I can check on it if I want, bring it crickets or something. Thanks for the advice!