Hobbies And Interests
Description
It is dark brown or gray, with white markings. It is 1 inch long and can cover 4 inches with legs spread. Though large, it does not cause a serious bite.
Habitat
The fishing spider lives all over the U.S. but is especially common in the south. It is typically found near ponds, swamps and slow-moving streams.
Hunting Strategy
It sits near water, watching for prey such as insects that land on the water or minnows that are just beneath the water. Once it spots prey, it darts onto the water, either by swimming or walking on the water. It is capable of catching tadpoles and small fish.
Special Skills
It has excellent vision and a well-developed sense of touch. If it is disturbed near the water, it can go beneath the surface and stay motionless for up to 45 minutes.
How They Move on Water
Fishing spiders actually "row" across the water using the dimples their legs make on the water's surface.