Unknown spider identity

I live in Northern Ky and just last night found this spider in my front yard. I have never seen anything this large.

Does anybody know what it is? I know nothing about spiders and have treated it as if it were venomous just as a precaution since I have no knowledge of it. When I approached it, it lifted it's front legs and got very defensive, though never jumped.

I know my pics aren't very good, but he was moving around and I had a real hard time with him. I can try to get better pics again if needed. I do not see an hour glass shape of any type on his body and he is aprox. 2" diameter incl legs and about 3/4" body length. Very bright yellow and pretty.







Thanks,

Jacob

I think I found it.

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/c...rb.htm#argiope

It also has the grey-ish head just like the pictured at that link. Anyone else agree/disagree on the identity?

Agree. Orb weavers are fairly common spiders. Very pretty, too.

The pics don't do it justice. She(assume by size) is huge and very bright. I've just never seen one before.

Do they adjust to captivity pretty well? If I were to keep it, what kind of setup can I keep it in? I assume crickets would work for it? Can a plastic container contain them without escape? Do they breed in captivity if I found more of them? How do I tell a male from a female other than size? Lots of questions and I know nothing about spiders, but she is very pretty. I'm going to do a little digging online as well.

Thanks,

Jacob

They do best with 2x4 with screening on both sides.



They have to be able to make a large web. I had one a couple years ago. I made it 4 foot by 3 foot and she webbed the entire thing.

Thats a great schematic to know how to set it up. I did end up releasing it since I don't know much about spiders, but would like to work with them in the future.