thomsonalasdair
Water Spider (Raft Spider)
Taken at Whixall Moss, Shropshire.
Thanks everyone for your really kind comments and for so many of you making it a favourite. As so many of you have shown such an interest, I've done some research. In Britain this spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is known as a Raft spider, while in much of Europe it is called a Fishing spider, which is more fitting as it does not make rafts but does like to fish. It uses its long front legs to rest on top of the water and detect vibrations caused by its prey, which can be insect lava, tadpoles or even small fish!
As for the spider walking on water, well its all to do with surface tension, obviously
I could easily explain the physics of it, but ermm..... that would spoil the magic! :)
Water Spider (Raft Spider)
Taken at Whixall Moss, Shropshire.
Thanks everyone for your really kind comments and for so many of you making it a favourite. As so many of you have shown such an interest, I've done some research. In Britain this spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is known as a Raft spider, while in much of Europe it is called a Fishing spider, which is more fitting as it does not make rafts but does like to fish. It uses its long front legs to rest on top of the water and detect vibrations caused by its prey, which can be insect lava, tadpoles or even small fish!
As for the spider walking on water, well its all to do with surface tension, obviously
I could easily explain the physics of it, but ermm..... that would spoil the magic! :)