Day 6: Trapdoors: Audouin's trapdoor spiders (Ummidia audouini) build burrows in the ground from which to ambush prey. They also retreat to them for safety, holding the lid shut from beneath. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #trapdoorspider #ancientspecies #arthistoryscienceandmystery

Day 5: Jumpers: The Zebra Jumping spider (Salticus scenicus) has a vivid pattern like its namesake. They use silk to spin small tent-like structures in which to sleep, moult, and shelter from the weather. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #jumpingspider #arthistoryscienceandmystery

Day 4: Crab spiders: Crab spiders have the ability to walk sideways. The flower crab spider (Misumena vatia) can change color to suit the flowers on which it sits. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #flowercrabspider #colorchangingspider #naturejournaling #arthistoryscienceandmystery

Day 3: Widows: We are familiar with Black Widows, but the Red Widow spider (Latrodectus bishopi) rarely has contact with people. It is a threatened species, living in the sand pines of southern Florida. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #redwidowspider #arthistoryscienceandmystery

Day 2: Wolf and Grass spiders: These spiders are gloriously fuzzy and involved with living life. This male spotted wolf spider (Pardosa amentata) is practicing his amorous dance moves. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #spottedwolfspider #naturejournaling #arthistoryscienceandmystery

The Joro is an invasive species. Since it eats pests other predators won’t there is still speculation on if it will benefit rather than be a detriment to the ecosystem. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #goldenorbwebspider #jorospider #naturejournaling #arthistoryscienceandmystery

The Golden is endemic to the area, and best known for webs that make gardening a bit of a sticky situation. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #goldenorbwebspider #jorospider #naturejournaling #arthistoryscienceandmystery

Day 1: Orb weavers: The Golden Silk Orb Web Spider (Trichonephila clavipes) and the Joro Spider (Trichonephila clavata) have ancestry that dates back to the Cenozoic. #bekindtospidersweek #bekindtospidersweek2024 #goldenorbwebspider #jorospider #naturejournaling #arthistoryscienceandmystery