# Dark Fishing Spider (*dolomedes tenebrosus*) The Dark Fishing Spider is a fascinating creature that loves to hang out near water! It can even walk on the surface of the water to catch its food! - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 64 - **Habitat:** Wetlands, ponds, and streams - **Also known as:** Dark Spider, Fishing Spider, Water Spider ![Dark Fishing Spider](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dolomedes_tenebrosus_1_PEM.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dolomedes_tenebrosus_1_PEM.jpg) ## Appearance The Dark Fishing Spider is a large, hairy spider with a mottled brown and grey body. It has pale stripes along the sides of its cephalothorax and distinct dark bands on its long legs, making it blend well with its natural surroundings near water. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Araneae - **Family:** Pisauridae - **Genus:** Dolomedes ## Interesting facts - After hatching, spiderlings are guarded in a special 'nursery web' spun by their mother for a few weeks! - Female Dark Fishing Spiders carry their precious egg sac in their jaws until the spiderlings are ready to hatch! - Instead of webs, these spiders hunt their prey by ambushing them near or on the water's surface! - These fascinating spiders have eight eyes, but some of them glow brightly when a flashlight shines on them at night! ## Special abilities - **Water Skater:** Dark Fishing Spiders can walk and run on water because of special hairs on their legs that repel water, helping them hunt. - **Underwater Diver:** Dark Fishing Spiders can dive and stay underwater for long periods, bringing an air bubble with them for breathing. - **Vibration Hunter:** Dark Fishing Spiders have super sensitive leg hairs that detect tiny vibrations on the water's surface, helping them find prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 2 cm - **Size:** 8 cm - **Weight:** 0.5 g - **Lifespan:** 2 years ## Diet & Feeding These awesome spiders eat a variety of insects and small aquatic animals found in or near water. - **Primary Foods:** water striders, dragonflies, mosquitoes, small fish, tadpoles, small frogs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — Small fish caught from water surface. - **Hunts:** [Green Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-frog) (*Lithobates clamitans*) — Preys on tadpoles and small froglets. - **Eaten by:** [Belted Kingfisher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/belted-kingfisher) (*Megaceryle alcyon*) — Birds can spot and eat spiders near water. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Generalist predators consuming spiders. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe spiders from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dark Fishing Spider? Compare body proportions, leg shape, abdomen markings and the web, if there is one. Eye arrangement can be decisive but rarely shows up in a casual phone photo. A web is a supporting clue, not proof of who built it. Spider Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Dark Fishing Spider? 2 cm ### How big is Dark Fishing Spider? 8 cm ### How much does Dark Fishing Spider weigh? 0.5 g ### How long does Dark Fishing Spider live? 2 years ### What does Dark Fishing Spider eat? These awesome spiders eat a variety of insects and small aquatic animals found in or near water. ### Where is Dark Fishing Spider usually found? Wetlands, ponds, and streams ### How does Dark Fishing Spider hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Brattleboro Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brattleboro-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Broadway-Armory Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-armory-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Customhouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/customhouse-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Downtown Ossining Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-ossining-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Dark Fishing Spider](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dark-fishing-spider) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Dark Fishing Spider: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dark-fishing-spider)