7/15/2024 Photo of the Day - Gone Fishin' - Fishing Spider


 

8 July 2024- 

Last week’s receding floodwaters meant we were finally able to rescue the dock and put it back in its proper place. This meant we got up close and personal with one of Mike’s favorite creatures: fishing spiders (genus Dolomedes). They are common around the world, and you’ll likely find them on docks or floating vegetation in permanent bodies of water.

Unlike other spiders you may be familiar with, fishing spiders do not spin webs to catch their prey; they are hunters! Fishing spiders are covered in tiny hairs that pick up the slightest vibration, allowing them to walk on water and sense their prey from great distances. Sometimes the hairs are also used to capture small water bubbles so the spider can breathe while pursuing their prey underwater. They eat mostly aquatic insects, and occasionally small fish and tadpoles.

This particular friend is a female carrying her egg sac full of spiderlings (that is indeed what baby spiders are called… fun fact). Just before they hatch, the mother spider will build a silk web for the spiderlings to hatch and grow on. Like most spiders, female fishing spiders will eat the male after mating, and even sometimes before if they decide they need food more than they need to reproduce. Fishing spiders will bite humans if threatened, but they are very skittish and will probably run away before it gets to that point. Next time you see a fishing spider, take notice of the furry legs and see if you can find one walking on water!


- lbg 🐢



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