Parawixia dehaani facts for kids
The abandoned-web orb-weaver (scientific name: Parawixia dehaani) is a type of spider. It belongs to the orb-weaver family, which are known for building round, spiral webs. You can find this spider in many parts of Asia and Australia. It's often seen in gardens, so some people call it the common garden spider.
Quick facts for kids Parawixia dehaani |
|
---|---|
![]() |
|
Female | |
Scientific classification |
Contents
What Does the Abandoned-Web Orb-Weaver Look Like?
The female Parawixia dehaani is a fairly large spider. It has a dark brown body. Its abdomen, which is the back part of its body, can have different patterns.
The easiest way to spot this spider is by its unique abdomen shape. It looks like a triangle with sharp, pointed corners, almost like spikes!
Where Does This Spider Live?
You can find the abandoned-web orb-weaver in many countries. It lives from India all the way to the Philippines, New Guinea, and Australia. It has also been seen in Pakistan.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
This spider likes to live in places where there are plants and trees. You can often find it in gardens, in areas that have been disturbed by people, and in nearby bushland.
How Does the Abandoned-Web Orb-Weaver Live?
The Parawixia dehaani spider is a nocturnal creature. This means it is active mostly at night. During the day, it hides away. It usually shelters under a leaf in the plants around it.
Hunting and Diet
At night, this spider builds its web to catch food. It mainly eats moths. The web it builds is an orb web, which is round and has spokes like a bicycle wheel. This spider's web often looks a bit messy or damaged, with parts missing. This is why it's called the "abandoned-web orb-weaver."
Defense Mechanisms
If something disturbs the spider, it has a clever way to protect itself. It will drop to the ground very quickly. Then, it pulls its legs in close to its body and pretends to be dead. This trick can make predators think it's not worth eating.
Sometimes, even bats have been caught in the strong webs of this spider!