Subject: Spider
Location: Fort Worth, TX
September 11, 2015 5:20 am
I’m in Fort Worth, Texas. Summer is drawing to a close.
I went to the park last week, as I do with my daughter on a daily basis, and I needed to make use of their facilities. I’ve done so before, though it is rather inconvenient with my dog and toddler in tow. I am in the habit of looking around, as you just never know what you may find. I looked up, and saw this large spider looming directly overhead. You might imagine my surprise.
I considered getting closer to take my photo, but realized that I really have no idea how dangerous thus particular creature may be. Instead, I used the zoom on my phone.
I tried to find out about this spider, which still reigns supreme, its woven throne spanning between the beams, evidently proud to be seen, so closely is it lit by the adjacent fluorscents.
Signature: Concerned restroom daddy
Dear Concerned restroom daddy,
This is a Golden Orbweaver, Argiope aurantia,and though they are large, formidable looking spiders, they are not aggressive. Most spiders are venomous, but like most spiders, an unlikely bite from a Golden Orbweaver would cause nothing more than local swelling and tenderness. Large individuals might bite a person, but we repeat they are not aggressive, and as you observed, they do not wander from their webs unless they are disturbed.