Each month Trail Manager, Emily Galka, highlights flora and fauna that she observes in the Goethe State Forest that surrounds the Black Prong Resort. Goethe State Forest Species of the Month: Golden Orb Weaver Spider
During this time last year, I was out exploring the trails, scouting the best routes to take guests on. By mid-June, I realized that no trail was safe from what the locals call “banana spiders.” Guests would be encountering large arachnids on the trails more frequently than any other wildlife. That prompted me to do some research—because the best way to safely share space with wild creatures is to understand how they operate. Knowledge is safety, and with July approaching, the spiders are now back in full swing.
First and foremost, “banana spider” is a misnomer. The large yellow spiders found in Florida are actually Golden Orb Weaver Spiders, and they are not dangerous like the Brazilian banana spiders they’re sometimes confused with—darn those misleading common names! Most people refer to them as banana spiders because the females have large, yellow, oval-shaped bodies. They also have yellow-and-black banded legs and are the largest non-tarantula spiders in North America.
The males are much smaller, reddish-brown in color, and are often seen hanging out on the edges of the web. While males are usually only about 6mm long, females can reach up to 40mm. The females spin intricate, sprawling webs that can stretch up to 6 feet across the trees. Their silk, which has a beautiful golden hue, is what gives them their name. It also happens to be the strongest orb-weaver silk in the world—stronger than steel by weight—which enables them to catch large prey like dragonflies, moths, and even small birds.
Despite their size and impressive webs, these spiders do not want to bite humans or horses. Bites occur only in self-defense, and even then, their venom is harmless to humans. Still, they have a knack for hiding in plain sight—until you’re suddenly right next to one.
Last year, I ran helmet-first into one and felt it moving on top of my head. I managed to stay calm and tilted my head until it jumped to the ground. While they may look intimidating, these spiders are nature’s pest control, and the most important thing to remember is that they’re not dangerous—and they definitely don’t want to be on you any more than you want them to be!
Emily Galka (shown with her horse Lisa) is Black Prong’s Trail Riding Manager and resident naturalist.
