Fauna
Arachnid

Dark Fishing Spider

Dolomedes tenebrosus

Also known as Dark Nursery Web Spider

Dark fishing spiders are large, mottled gray-brown arachnids capable of hunting on land or skating across water surfaces. Unlike most of their semi-aquatic relatives, they frequently inhabit dry woodland areas, scaling tree trunks, rocks, and human structures. Females carry large egg sacs in their mouthparts and later construct silk nursery webs across foliage to protect their newly hatched spiderlings.

NocturnalArachnidPredatory
Dark Fishing Spider reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyInsects, Tree frogs, Small fish
Predators
  • Birds
  • Small mammals
  • Spider wasps
ThreatsPesticides, habitat destruction, human persecution
HabitatsDeciduous forests, tree trunks, wooden structures, stream margins, rock faces
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyPisauridae
  3. GenusDolomedes
  4. SpeciesDolomedes tenebrosus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
May bite defensively if handled or crushed; observe from a respectful distance without touching.
Why it is dangerous
Delivers a painful mechanical bite with mild local venom when pinched or pressed against skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Identified by a large 8-10 cm leg span and mottled dark brown pattern with W-shaped abdominal markings.
What to do
Never handle by hand; direct into a container with a piece of paper if relocation is necessary.
Responsible observation
  • Night Spotting: Scan tree trunks and wooden walls at night with a flashlight to detect eyeshine.
  • Safe Distance: Keep hands clear of dark crevices or tree bark where spiders rest during the day.
Related species
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