Dolomedes triton Photo Claire Sunquist ©
This spectacular looking fishing spider is found along the edges of Florida’s lakes, ponds and streams. It hunts during the day, and can be seen sitting quietly, just watching, or tapping its front legs in the water, presumably to lure fish to within range. It feeds on minnows, insect larvae, and tadpoles and often dives to depths of 18 cm to capture its prey. It can stay underwater for 45 minutes, using the air trapped in its body hairs as a sort of aqualung.
This fishing spider is found in Florida, and across much of the eastern US, north to New England, and as far west as Texas.
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