Hawaii Biological Survey's


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20. Happy Face Spider / nananana makaki`i

Scientific name: Theridion grallator

Classification: Phylum: Arthropoda. Class: Arachnida. Order: Araneae


Origin: Native

Status: Reduced populations

Distribution: O`ahu, Maui, Big Island

Sound file: --

Map: --


This spider is normally shy and retiring. It lives on the undersides of leaves in rainforests, mainly on the Big Island. It hunts primarily at night and feeds on small insects that it encounters. The “happy face” pattern is variable and has dozens of different patterns. It is thought by some that the patterns may keep them from being eaten by birds.

   Photo © W.P. Mull