Giant Wood Spider

For those of us who think spiders are insects, here is a cute little song, which tells us that spiders and insects are two different things.

Spider or an Insect? - Ron Brown

Is it a spider or an insect?
A spider or an insect
Is it a spider or an insect?
I really want to know. Let’s go!

Insects have six legs
Three body parts - A head, abdomen, thorax.
They all have feelers waving on their heads
Oh those insect facts.


Is it a spider or an insect?
A spider or an insect
Is it a spider or an insect?
I really want to know. Let’s go!

Spiders have eight legs
And two body parts - A head and an abdomen
You won’t see feelers on their heads
Moving and waving.

Is it a spider or an insect?
A spider or an insect
Is it a spider or an insect?
And now I finally know!

These are pictures of a Giant Wood Spider that I found next to our accomodation in Durian Chalet, near Taman Negra National Park, Malaysia. This one is the biggest spider I have ever seen, and spanned close to 8 inches in length. The yellow spots at the joints in its legs, on the underside, are characteristic of these spiders. Its golden web gives it the alternate name Golden Orb Web Spider.