Georgia Hiking Trails Hide Hungry Spring Spiders Stringing Their Invisible Webs to Capture Insect Prey

When you're out for an early morning hike on North Georgia trails, there's a nearly-invisible surprise likely waiting just ahead. And, in fact, it likely will be at about head height and you won't spot it until you're pulling silky strings from your face, hair and eyebrows.

There are more than 30 species of spiders in Georgia, and they've emerged from winter dens to spin large webs.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Spring is peak spider season along Georgia's hiking trails. And among experienced hikers, there's an old adage that applies to these early morning explorations: send your tall friends first. At 6 feet, five inches tall, I'm usually the tall friend, and that's how I earned the nickname, "Spiderface."

North Georgia's healthy and growing spider population has emerged from winter dens, and are busy setting up hunting spots everywhere. Spinning their huge webs, more than 30 species of spiders in Georgia are hoping to catch unsuspecting insects for a morning meal. Snaring a wandering human really is an unwelcome turn of events for the enterprising spiders, since their handiwork usually is destroyed and the lose the opportunity for real prey.

We find lots of spiderwebs at face height, and usually pick the silky strings from our hair and face. Sometimes, we spot them higher above.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

I’m no expert on spiders we encounter on Georgia trails. But after researching multiple sources and checking out our photos of the eight-legged creatures, we seem to encounter three species most frequently. You can check out our blog for an extended story on Georgia's spiders. Here are the three species we see most:

Joro Spider. These relative newcomers reached Georgia in 2015. They liked our warm climate and decided to stay and multiply quickly. With bright colored bodies up to one inch, their legs can stretch to four inches. And they have supersized webs.

Golden Silk Spider. These devious devils are an archenemy, as they actually can change the hue of their webs based on sunlight condition.

Spotted Orbweaver. Neoscona crucifera hangs out at the edge of its web, ready to devour its small prey. The spiders are nocturnal and are very seldom seen during the day, but that doesn’t mean you won’t take a web to the face.