Hiking is one of my absolute favorite pastimes, and fortunately I have a hiking partner who takes care of clearing the trails of unwanted surprises like spider webs. More importantly, he doesn’t freak out when he feels that sticky, stringy mess clinging to his face and neck. Unlike me. Whenever I hit an invisible spider’s web I go into full freak-out mode. I never believe that the spider isn’t home, and isn’t pissed off that I ruined her handiwork. I am so sure she is on me that I jump around like a lunatic until Matt assures me (without even checking) that there is no creature crawling in my hair, or burrowing into my ear, or sneaking around to gouge my eyes out.
Recently, however, we encountered some highly intelligent spiders who build their webs far above the reach of big-headed people.
And they are gigantic.
GOLDEN SILK SPIDER
If you want to witness over twenty webs weaved by the Golden Silk Spider, head over to Fort Matanzas National Monument and take the short nature hike. The larger spiders are the females, the smaller ones in the periphery of the web are the males. The unlucky male feeds on the female’s leftovers, then mates with her right before she bites and kills him. He then becomes just another meal.
According to the National Park Service, these spiders will bite if harassed. They may not be poisonous, but their bite reportedly feels like a hornet or wasp sting. Personally I can handle a sting like that, probably much better than Matt, but just the thought of those hairy legs climbing all over me would be enough to do me in.
Posted by barbvdo 
Wandering Floridian 