Long-jawed orb weaver spider

Description:

The long-jawed orb weavers or long jawed spiders (family Tetragnathidae) are elongated spiders with long legs and chelicerae. Males up to 9mm and females up to 11mm. This is a male. 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:

The spiders are orb web weavers, weaving small orb webs with an open hub and few, wide-set radii and spirals. The webs have no signal line and no retreat. Some species are often found in long vegetation near water.