Description
- Common Name: African Field Orbweaver
- Scientific Name: Neoscona subfusca
- Locality/Morph: Wild Type
- Sex: Mixed
- Age: Mixed
- Source: Wild Caught
- Native Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and surrounding regions)
- Natural Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, woodland edges, gardens, and agricultural areas; commonly found in low vegetation where it constructs orb webs
- Diet: Carnivorous—flying insects such as moths, flies, mosquitoes, and other small aerial prey caught in webs
- Basking Temperature: Not Required
- Ambient Temperature: 20–26°C (night drop to 16–20°C)
- Average Adult Size: ~1–2 cm body length (larger including leg span)
The African Field Orbweaver (Neoscona subfusca) is a common and adaptable web-building spider known for its rounded abdomen and variable brown, grey, or mottled coloration that provides excellent camouflage among vegetation. Like other orbweavers, it constructs symmetrical circular webs used to capture flying prey.
This species is primarily nocturnal, building or repairing its web in the evening and remaining at the center or edge of the web during the night to intercept prey. During the day, it often hides in nearby vegetation or retreats to a sheltered location connected to the web by a signal line.
In captivity, a vertically oriented enclosure is recommended to allow for natural web construction. The enclosure should include anchor points such as branches, twigs, or artificial structures to support web building. Adequate space is important to allow a full orb web to be formed.
Humidity should be kept moderate (50–70%), with occasional light misting to support hydration and web integrity. Good ventilation is important to prevent stagnant conditions.
Temperature should remain within a mild to warm range, with no need for intense basking. Stable ambient conditions are sufficient for this species.
Feeding consists of small flying insects such as flies, moths, and other appropriately sized prey. Food should be introduced into the web 2–3 times per week, preferably in the evening when the spider is most active. Care should be taken not to damage the web structure during feeding or maintenance.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
