Madagascar orb weaver | London Zoo

Area of zoo

Enclosure status

Open

IUCN status

Data Deficient

Scientific name

Nephila inaurata madagascariensis

Order

Araneae

Type

Invertebrates

Family

Araneidae

Region

Madagascar

Habitat

Forest

This spider features an elongated black body and red legs, with females featuring prominent yellow markings on their abdomen.

Madagascar orb weaver facts

Silk from these spiders was used to make a golden cloak displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2012.
Female Madagascar orb weavers tend to be six times bigger than their male counterparts.
They are one of the largest orb weaving spiders.
Orb webs up to a metre across.

What do Madagascan orb weavers eat?

Feed mainly on flying insects.

Madagascan orb weaver lifespan

1-2 year lifespan

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