Tag Archives: Huge spiders on Okinawa

Gigantic Banana Spiders on Okinawa by Shawn Miller

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The golden orb weaver (Nephila pilipes) is the largest spider found on Okinawa. They can be found in parks, forests and gardens.  This massive spider is fairly common on Okinawa. 

Always look up!

They usually make their web up high in trees. I have also seen their web in the middle of a trail at eye level.

  • Scientific name:  Nephila pilipes
  • Common Name: Golden orb weaver / banana spider
  • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Forests, gardens and parks
  • Diet:  Insects
  • Average Size:  Female 17-20cm

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Their web is extremely strong. They have been know to catch small bats, cicadas and a variety of large insects

This species displays sexual dimorphism, The female is much larger than the male.
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Nephila pilipes fluoresces under ultraviolet light. The fluorescence serves as a warning sign for large animals.  Making a spider web this size takes a lot of time and effort. 

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This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

House Dwelling Huntsman Spiders of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

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Have you ever been bitten by a spider?

In 2014, I was bitten by a large huntsman spider (Heteropoda ventoria) in my apartment. It was completely my fault, I failed to check my clogs before putting them on.  All spiders are venomous and I was fortunate not to have an allergic reaction to the bite.

Natural habitat

Natural habitat

The Huntsman spider is the most common spider on Okinawa. It is often found in houses, workplaces, gardens, parks and sometimes inside vehicles. They are fast moving and are capable of jumping at fast speeds.

Spiders have tiny hairs called setules. These hairs allow the spider to cling to slippery surfaces and vehicles traveling at high speeds. You can’t shake this spider!

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Spider on the windshield

Spider on the windshield

I have heard stories of them being as big as a basketball, but these were all just exaggerations from people terrified of spiders. The largest specimens get about fist size.

Large huntsman

Large huntsman spider

They feed on a variety of insects, frogs, and other spiders.

Huntsmen feeding

Heteropoda simplex

The female huntsman handles her egg sack with extreme care.

Huntsman spider

Huntsman spider

Stayed tuned!  I’ll share the best way to safely catch and remove the huntsman spider from your living space.

Spider shadow

Spider shadow

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically  to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.                    Shawn M Miller.