Fishing spiders are an intriguing species known for their unique hunting habits near bodies of water. These fascinating creatures, from the genus Dolomedes, are commonly found near water and are known to catch small fish and aquatic insects as they walk on the surface. While their size and appearance might seem intimidating, it’s essential to understand their behavior, particularly when it comes to their interactions with humans.
Biting is a natural defense mechanism for spiders, but fishing spiders are generally not aggressive towards people. However, like most spiders, they may bite if they feel threatened or cornered. It’s essential to be cautious when encountering these spiders in their natural environment to avoid putting yourself at risk.
In any case, it’s crucial to educate oneself on these impressive arachnids to better appreciate their role in the ecosystem and coexist with them. Awareness and respect for their habitats is key to minimizing unwanted encounters.
What Are Fishing Spiders?
Scientific Classification
Fishing spiders belong to the Pisauridae family and the Dolomedes genus. They are commonly found across various continents.
Physical Description
- Size: Fishing spiders can range from 0.4 to 1 inch in body length, with a leg span of up to 4 inches.
- Color: They often have contrasting shades of brown and gray, with some species exhibiting stripes or patterns.
Distribution
Fishing spiders have a wide distribution, inhabiting North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.
Habitat
Fishing spiders are typically found near water sources such as:
- Lakes
- Ponds
- Streams
- Wetlands
They are known for their unique ability to walk on water surfaces and catch prey, such as small fish and aquatic insects.
| Continent | Presence of Fishing Spiders |
|---|---|
| North America | Yes |
| Europe | Yes |
| Asia | Yes |
| South America | Yes |
| Africa | Yes |
Behavior and Diet
Semi-Aquatic Lifestyle
Fishing spiders are known for their semi-aquatic lifestyle, which involves living near water and adapting well to both aquatic and terrestrial environments. These spiders can be found:
- Near ponds
- Along streams
- On trees close to water bodies
Hunting Techniques
Fishing spiders have unique hunting techniques, which include:
- Walking on water: These spiders can walk on the water’s surface to catch their prey.
- Ambush: They wait for prey to come close before striking quickly.
Examples of their diet consist of:
- Small fish
- Aquatic insects
- Other spiders
Predators
Fishing spiders have a few predators, such as:
- Birds
- Lizards
- Larger spiders
Comparison of Fishing Spiders and Other Spiders:
| Feature | Fishing Spiders | Other Spiders |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Near water | Various |
| Hunting Method | Walk on water | Web-based |
| Diet | Fish, insects | Insects |
| Size | Larger | Varies |
Overall, fishing spiders exhibit remarkable adaptability to a semi-aquatic lifestyle, employing unique hunting techniques that set them apart from other spiders. Their diet mainly consists of aquatic prey, and they face predators from both land and air. Their behavior and diet make them a fascinating topic of study for those interested in spider biology.
Reproduction and Lifespan
Egg Sac
Fishing spiders reproduce by laying eggs that are protected in a silk-woven sac. Female fishing spiders create these egg sacs, which can store a large number of eggs, often reaching up to hundreds of eggs per sac. The sac is carried around by the female for protection, ensuring a secure environment for the developing spiderlings.
- Egg sacs provide a safe environment for spiderlings
- Female fishing spiders may lay hundreds of eggs at once
Nursery Web
Once the eggs are close to hatching, females create a nursery web, thereby providing a safe haven for the newborn spiderlings.
- Nursery web protects the spiderlings from predators and harsh conditions
- Female fishing spiders are known to actively guard the nursery web
Nursery web spiders create their nursery for spiderlings by weaving a retreat with silk. This web is typically constructed near a water source, providing the perfect environment for spiderlings to molt and learn to hunt small aquatic insects.
Spiders, including the fishing spider, have a lifespan that varies depending on factors such as species, sex, environmental conditions, and predation. While some fishing spiders may only live for a few months, others can live up to a year or more.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Egg Sac | Nursery Web |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Protects eggs | Protects spiderlings |
| Construction | Silk woven by females | Silk web near water |
| Eggs/Spiderlings | Houses developing eggs | Houses young spiderlings |
Do Fishing Spiders Bite?
Nature of Fishing Spider Bites
Fishing spiders, belonging to the nursery-web family, are not known to be aggressive towards humans. Their venom is primarily used for subduing their prey, which consists of small fish and aquatic insects. Though not considered poisonous, fishing spider bites can still occur when the spider feels threatened.
Symptoms of a Bite
In rare cases, a fishing spider bite may result in:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Mild pain
Typically, these symptoms are short-lived and resolve without complications. The bite is far less severe than those from venomous spiders like recluse spiders and widow spiders.
Medical Attention
While fishing spider bites are usually not a cause for concern, some individuals may experience more severe symptoms, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweating
In these cases, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Keep in mind that reactions can vary among individuals, and symptoms might be mistaken for bites from more venomous spiders like brown recluse spiders or black widows.
Prevention
To reduce the risk of fishing spider bites, follow these prevention tips:
- Avoid disturbing areas where spiders might reside (e.g., near water, in wooded habitats).
- Wear gloves and long sleeves when working in spider-prone areas.
- Keep your home and surroundings clean, reducing potential hiding spots for spiders.
It’s essential to remember that fishing spiders are not aggressive towards humans and play a vital role in controlling insect populations. Avoiding unnecessary contact with them and respecting their natural environment can help prevent fishing spider bites.
Species and Identification
Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes Tenebrosus)
The Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes Tenebrosus) is a species of fishing spider mainly found near water sources. Their habitat could include areas like ponds, streams, and swamps.
Some key features of Dark Fishing Spiders:
- Can walk on water surfaces
- Capable of catching small fish and aquatic insects
- They have eight eyes arranged in two rows
Color and Size
Dark Fishing Spiders are usually brown or gray with a distinctive pattern. Their cephalothorax (the front part of the body) has a whitish-yellow stripe surrounding the dark carapace.
Dark Fishing Spiders are considered large spiders. They have long legs and an oval abdomen that is smaller than their cephalothorax. Male spiders are smaller than females, with a body length of around 0.3-0.6 inches, while females range from 0.6-1 inch. Leg spans can reach up to 3 inches.
Comparison of male and female Dark Fishing Spiders:
| Feature | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 0.3-0.6 inches | 0.6-1 inch |
| Leg Span | Up to 3 inches | Up to 3 inches |
To summarize, the Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes Tenebrosus) is a notable species of fishing spiders. They’re characterized by their brown or gray coloration, large size, and affinity for aquatic habitats.
Quick Facts and Trivia
- Fishing spiders are large, often found near water, and belong to the genus Dolomedes1.
- They can catch small fish and aquatic insects while walking on the water’s surface1.
- Bites are rare, and they are not aggressive or dangerous2.
Fishing spiders are interesting creatures with unique behaviors and abilities. They share similarities with larger wolf spiders in terms of size, shape, and coloration1. These spiders are generally found near water, and some can even walk on water to catch prey, like small fish and aquatic insects1.
Although these spiders might appear intimidating due to their size, they are not aggressive or dangerous to humans2. Bites from fishing spiders are rare, and there is no need to be overly concerned about them2.
Some fascinating characteristics of fishing spiders include their great vision and hunting capabilities3. A quick comparison between fishing spiders and wolf spiders can be seen below:
| Aspect | Fishing Spiders | Wolf Spiders |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Near water | Terrestrial |
| Vision | Good | Good |
| Hunting methods | Walk on water | Crawl on land |
| Danger to humans | Low | Low |
Fishing spiders might also remind you of the spotted fishing spider (Dolomedes triton)4, which is known for its ability to run across the water surface and distinctive dark-colored appearance with a smaller oval abdomen compared to the cephalothorax4.
In conclusion:
- Fishing spiders are not aggressive and bites are rare.
- They use their unique abilities to catch prey near water sources.
Footnotes
- Fishing Spider ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
- Spiders | UMN Extension ↩ ↩2 ↩3
- Fishing Spiders and Wolf Spiders ↩
- Aquatic Spiders Fishing Spiders; Water Spiders ↩ ↩2
3 Comments. Leave new
I Live in Gatineau Quebec Canada I have thiese Spiders living in my shed. They are so large that you hear them when they run or jump. Does anyone know if they are poisonous?
Hi Kevlee,
All spiders are poisonous, but Fishing Spiders are not dangerous. They will probably not bite a person, and if that happened, the bite would be very mild.
Thanks very much for the identification assistance. We take a no-kill approach here and I wanted to be able to (accurately) assure swimmers this alarmingly large poolside occupant is not a potential threat.