Red-legged Golden Orb-Web Spider

Description:

The Red-legged Golden Orb-Web Spider (Nephila inaurata), lives in South Africa, Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean. Like other members of the golden-orb spiders it can weave webs so strong that sometimes even birds and bats get caught. The spider has a leg-span of up to 10cm and is commonly kept in captivity.

Habitat:

can be found in damp places such as large trees and unpolluted areas to which no cars have access; normally several are strung together to form enormous "homes" so as to cover as much surface area as possible

Notes:

Wow one of the most beautiful spiders i have come across, my camera does not do it justice!