Long-jawed orbweaver

Description:

Long-jawed Orb-weaver spiders, sometimes called Common stretch spiders spin an orb web to catch their prey. They're usually found in vegetation close to ground level and frequently close to water. The elongated body can vary in colour from creamy-yellow to green or pale brown. The legs are a yellow-brown colour. The scientific name Tetragnatha literally means four jaws, and these spiders do have some seriously large food processing utensils attached to their heads. The jaws known as chelicerae are hinged with the fangs at the tips, and when mating the male has to lock his jaws on the females to prevent her eating him. When frightened Long-jawed orb-weaver spiders lie flat out with their legs stretched out in a straight line. This allows them to hide behind thin vegetation.

Habitat:

Members of the genus Tetragnatha typically live in meadows near water, and around the banks of rivers, lakes and swamps, usually on low-hanging branches and reeds.

Notes:

Spotted in Paluma Range National Park, Australia.