Hobbies And Interests
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders have the sharpest vision of all spiders. They need it as they hunt by leaping distances many times their own body length. They favor flat areas such as ceilings and windowsills and hunt during the day. Their bodies are usually 1 1/2 inches wide. Jumping spiders are often dark with white stripes. Some species are more colorful and even have iridescent colorings around their fangs. They move in quick jerking movements and are characterized by this irregular gait.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders were once thought to hunt in packs, although their hairy bodies and incredible speed give credence to the name as well. A large ground dwelling spider, the wolf spider can grow to a length of four inches and reach speeds of two feet per second. They typically hunt from a burrow in the ground or chase prey over short distances. An outdoor spider that prefers sunlight, wolf spiders often head into people's homes during cold winter months.
Fishing Spiders
Fishing spiders, also known as dock spiders, are the largest species of spider in the upper midwestern U.S. With a spread of four inches, adult fishing spiders skate across the surfaces of ponds or lakes to search for prey. They mainly eat insects, but can catch smaller fish and animals such as tadpoles. They also hunt in the vegetation that grows along the water's edge. Usually dark brown or gray, fishing spiders are striped with white markings.
Gnaphosid Spiders
Gnaphosid spiders are generally outdoor spiders. The most common species is known as the parson's spider. They mainly hunt at night and spend their days under rocks or tree bark where they spin silken retreats. Indoors they live under objects or in cracks along floors and walls. They have a body that is about one-half inch long and are dark brown on top and gray on the bottom. There is also a banded white marking that covers most of their abdomen.
Crab Spiders
Crab spiders are outdoor spiders that live among flowers, stems and leaves. Unlike many other spiders that stalk their prey, crab spiders remain motionless and wait for prey to come along. Named for their distinct forelegs, which are held sideways like a crab's, crab spiders can walk forwards, backwards and sideways. Their colors range from red to yellow to gray to brown. They are small, between one-tenth and two-fifths inch and are not common indoors.
Sac Spiders
Sac spiders, also known as two-clawed hunting spiders, hunt in foliage along the ground. They are very common indoor spiders as well. In the wild, they build retreats by mixing their silk with leaves and forming a tube using their forelegs. They will also build silken retreats underneath stones. Indoors they nest in high places, typically in the corner of ceilings. A small to medium sized spider, sac spiders average one-fifth inch in length.