Coastal Golden Orb-Weaver

Description:

Huge, gentle garden spider. The yellow bands identify this species from it's near relative. This example has a leg spread of about the size of an adult's hand

Habitat:

Normally found hanging in the middle of extensive and intricate sticky webs. This species is common among the scrub on the sandy dunes along the beaches in this part of Australia. They will move if their web is disturbed

Notes:

Female. This female later developed a much rounder body after mating and would be easily mistaken for another species