Hobbies And Interests
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders get their name from their ability to jump up to 40 times their own height. These spiders have squat bodies with tall, hairy legs and are occasionally mistaken for tarantulas. They have excellent vision and their eyes are often visible from a distance. Jumping spiders are most commonly found near gardens and vegetation.
Orb Weavers
Orb weavers build impressively detailed webs. There are hundreds of species of orb weavers, but the most common Georgia orb weaver is the black and yellow argiope. These garden spiders have large black bodies with yellow patches and are attracted to sunlight. They frequently build webs between banisters and on decks. Though their large size can be intimidating, these spiders are non-aggressive and prey on garden pests.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are among the most common house spiders, though they prefer living in gardens. They range in size from less than a centimeter to several inches and are typically black or brown with faint stripes of color and long legs. They don't build webs. Instead, they hunt for their prey. Though a bite from a wolf spider is painful and may swell; though these spiders are not poisonous.
Nursery Web Spiders
Nursery web spiders don't build webs to catch prey. Instead, their nests are used solely for the purpose of laying and protecting eggs. Frequently referred to as fishing spiders, they can walk on water and hunt for small fish and aquatic insects. Nursery web spiders are common in moist, humid climates and normally live near ponds, lakes and streams. They are brown, gray or black, with long legs and faint stripes on their abdomens.
Venomous Spiders
Though many people are afraid of venomous spiders, there are only two venomous spider species in Georgia. Both the brown recluse and the black widow typically live in abandoned areas with little foot traffic. They also may build nests at the bottom of wood and debris piles or in dark basements. Black widows can be recognized by their rounded black bodies, which have a red or orange hourglass shape on the underside of the abdomen. Brown recluses are a drab brown with long legs and a faint brown violin shape on the top of their abdomens. Though bites from these spiders may cause serious illness, less than 1 percent of people bitten by a venomous spider actually die. If you believe you have been bitten by one of these spiders, seek immediate medical care. Effective antivenom treatment will prevent serious complications.