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Nephila senegalensis
An attractive and large Orb-weaver spider. The mature female is larger, approx 3 to 3,5 cm of length for the body, which is elegantly elongated, with somewhat saddle-like abdomen. Body is mainly grey, with two vertical ranges of yellow dots; and one yellow stripe close to cephalothorax. Ventral side (pic 3) shows square-like yellow pattern. It sports long and hairy black legs, with golden-orange bands. Male is much smaller, maybe 2 cm in length together with legs; brown coloured (pic 6); and it hangs on the same web.
This is a very common species in much of Sub-Saharan Africa; spinning impressive webs usually across branches of trees. Here, observed in urban garden of Minna, capital of Niger State in Nigeria.
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