Dolomedes aquaticus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dolomedes aquaticus |
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The Dolomedes aquaticus is a special kind of fishing spider. It lives and hunts along the gravel banks of open rivers in New Zealand. This spider likes places where there are no forests, usually staying less than 5 meters from the water. Its colors help it blend in perfectly with river stones. It's usually active at night, waiting for its prey. This amazing spider can even survive for short times underwater!
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Meet the New Zealand Fishing Spider
This unique spider was first studied and named Dolomedes aquaticus in 1887 by a person named Peter Goyen.
What Does it Look Like?
Female Dolomedes aquaticus spiders are quite large, measuring about 13 to 26 millimeters long. The males are a bit smaller, around 11 to 18 millimeters. Their fourth leg is the longest, reaching about 36 millimeters in females and 33 millimeters in males.
The spider's head and chest area is a chocolate brown color. It has a yellow stripe along the side. Its mouthparts and underside are also chocolate brown. Its legs and feelers are brown. The main body (abdomen) is greenish-brown with two rows of yellow spots. The sides are grayish, and the underside is dark brown with four whitish stripes. The spider's body is covered in tiny grey, yellow, and brown hairs, which help it blend in.
Where Does it Live?
The Dolomedes aquaticus spider lives on open, stony riverbeds and rocky lake shores. It is found throughout the South Island of New Zealand. You can also find it in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand.
Scientists think this spider is not found in the upper North Island. This is because there are fewer braided rivers there. Braided rivers are rivers that split into many smaller channels, which is the perfect home for this spider. It seems to thrive when the riverbanks are sometimes changed by floods, but not too much.
Amazing Spider Habits
You can often find the Dolomedes aquaticus spider on plants, stones, or pieces of wood right at the water's edge. It can swim and run very quickly on the surface of the water. If it feels bothered, it will quickly run to the nearest object and dive to the bottom of the water. It stays there until it feels safe again.
When a female spider is keeping her eggs safe, she moves away from the water. She lives under a large stone or a piece of wood. She stays there until her baby spiders hatch. During this time, she really tries to avoid the water. The egg sac is round and the female carries it under her body. She holds it tightly with her feelers and silk threads.
