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Photo#32260
Deck spider - big - Araneus gemmoides

Deck spider - big - Araneus gemmoides
Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado, USA
September 19, 2005
Size: > 1-inch
Does anyone know what kind of spider this is? It appears related to the smaller spider above the deck. Both were very active. Weather was dry and 75 deg F when photos taken. Elevation 5600 feet.

Cat-faced Spider
This is the Cat-faced Spider, Araneus gemmoides

deck spider
perfect photo, I found this exact spider 1" long on Sept. 20, 2005 on my deck in POLLOCK PINES, CALIFORNIA. Near the base of the Sierra Mountains on the CA side.

And..
These spiders are so interesting to watch. They tend to come out at night. Pay particular attention at dusk, on a night AFTER the web has been destroyed by high winds or rain. She will come back out and spin another web. Fascinating to watch.

Female Orb Weaver
This is a female orb weaver, most likely in the Araneus genus, due to the shoulders (or humps) on the abdomen. (Id'ing beyond this (to a specific species) is problematic, as it requires an expert to examine the actual spider's reproductive structures with a microscope.)

This little lady is not dangerous to people, but is quite beneficial to your yard (she does her part to keep the insect population in check). :)

Your other spider could be same species, but unsure about that. Either way, the other spider is definitely an orb weaver also.

Orb Weaver
This is some species of orb weaver. Harmless to humans and a very pest controller.

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