>>>))) FISHING SPIDERS (((<<<

[ExoticOddities]

[SIZE=14pt]Long-Legged Sac Spider[/SIZE]

While I was out late last night hunting for various arthropod goodies down here in FL, I came across this Long-Legged Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei), who was enjoying the last of the remains of his most recent victim. Long-Legged Sac Spiders carry with them a toxic component to their venom, cytotoxin, which causes a recluse-like necrosis at the bite site and in fact bites from this species are often misdiagnosed as recluse bites. I noticed he was a fairly decent-sized spider looking to be on top of the world in the middle of a palm frond ...

[SIZE=14pt]Perspective ...[/SIZE]

However, a broader perspective of things quickly revealed that our venomous friend was within a hair's circumference of becoming a meal for one of the largest and most awesome spider-hunters of the Florida woodlands ... a Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus)

[SIZE=14pt]Close-Up[/SIZE]

Fishing spiders are some of the largest, most awesome arthropod predators in FL, a state full of large and awesome arthropod predators

[SIZE=18pt]Dark Death[/SIZE]

And tonight around 2:00am (or should I say "this morning?"), I found another *huge* Dark Fishing Spider specimen on a tree trunk B)

These spiders get a leg spread about as big as the palm of your hand, and they are fast as all get-out! And, what's even nicer is that as captives they take to a container very quickly and seem to thrive in captivity.

[SIZE=18pt]White-Banded Fishing Spider[/SIZE]

A close relative, and an even prettier species, is the White-Banded Fishing Spider (Dolomedes albineus). These species get every bit as big as their Dark Brethren, but carry with them a mottled lichen-mimic coloration that can really be exquisite B)

A lot of people assume from their name that these spiders "only eat fish," but this is not true. The truth is, these spiders are so clever and so versatile that they can eat on land, in trees, or hover just above the water's surface and snatch minnows (and various aquatic insects) right out of the water! But these spiders certainly do not have to be fed exclusively fish

These spiders will basically eat anything, anywhere near their size, and they get so big they can prey on small rodents and frogs too. I personally have one right now that is so large she covers my entire palm! As younger spiders, they are still big enough that they can be fed any of a number of commonly-found arthropods in anyone's yard.

[SIZE=18pt]White-Banded Fishing Spider[/SIZE]

This is a typical "captive pose" of a cage-kept fishing spider. Hanging onto a perch, but with her "feelers" on land too. (They hover over the water the same way: a couple of legs affixed to a reed (or whatnot) and a couple of legs touching the surface, anticipating the vibrations of their next meal.)

[SIZE=18pt]MASSIVE WBF Spider[/SIZE]

This is a close-up of a massive WB Fishing Spider eating a cricket. If you think you would like to own one of these amazing spider for yourself, I have both species available:

Dark Fishing Spider: (Dolomedes tenebrosus) Massive, voracious, fascinating. $15.00 plus shipping.

White-Banded Fishing Spider: (Dolomedes albineus) Enormous; voracious. $15.00 plus shipping.

[SIZE=8pt]$50 minimum order to make the shipping worthwhile for both of us. Yes, you can mix species too. Combine an order of anything you like from my site below. Credit Cards accepted through PayPal.[/SIZE]

Check out my website below for particulars or contact me directly at (615) 545-5532 or email [email protected]

http://www.johnkoerner.org/ExoticOddities/nursery.html
Thank you.

Jack

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