Dark fishing spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus) on the prowl, Little River Canyon National Preserve, 2015.

Despite its name, the fishing spider is frequently found far from water. Look for the spider to be waiting motionless to ambush from tree trunks, fence posts, walls and other vertical surfaces, mostly at night. They will dash into holes, crevices or even under tree bark when startled. This amazing spider doesn't spin a prey-catching snare. However, the females do construct a 'nursery web' to suspend their egg sac and guards the emerging spiderlings. This large spider preys on large insects and even small vertebrates that it can overpower! Frequently mistaken for wolf spiders, the arrangement of the eyes is graphically different. Also, fishing spiders are good climbers while wolf spiders are usually on the ground or seen near logs.

fishing spider dark fishing spider dolomedes tenebrosus nursery web spider raft spider animal wild wildlife little river canyon national preserve spider wolf spiders spider doesn t spider preys tree trunks tree bark fence posts nursery web egg sac national parks gallery alabama

2015

National Parks Gallery

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