Giant golden silk orb-weaver — printable fact sheet

Free to print or save as PDF. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and young explorers.

Download PDF

Creature Atlas

Animal Fact Sheet

Name: ____________________

Date: ____________________

Giant golden silk orb-weaver

Trichonephila clavipes

The giant golden silk orb-weaver is a striking arachnid known for its impressive size and the golden hue of its silk. Females are notably larger than males, with long, spindly legs and a body that can measure up to 5 cm in length. These spiders spin large, intricate orb-shaped w…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Araneidae

Habitat

Forests and woodland edges

Diet

Carnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

1-2 years

Weight

0.5-2 grams

Scientific name

Trichonephila clavipes

Did you know?

Scientists have studied the golden silk for potential use in medical sutures and bulletproof materials due to its remarkable strength and flexibility.
The silk of the giant golden silk orb-weaver is incredibly strong and has a distinct golden color, making it one of the toughest natural fibers known. These spiders can rebuild or repair their massive webs daily, and the webs can reach up to 1.5 meters in diameter. Males are tiny compared to females and often share the web with them, sometimes risking being mistaken for prey.

What I learned

Draw the giant golden silk orb-weaver

Want the whole set?

Get printable fact-sheet packs, coloring pages, and classroom worksheet bundles for dozens of animals — ready to download and print.

Browse printable packs

Get a free printable each week

Join the newsletter for a new Creature of the Week + printables.