{"id":35966,"date":"2024-02-14T12:43:36","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T11:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/55d44473-511b-473a-9cd1-894b7f5f50bc"},"modified":"2024-02-14T13:35:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T12:35:37","slug":"can-spiders-fish","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/can-spiders-fish\/","title":{"rendered":"Can spiders fish?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yes spiders can fish. Piscivory has been recorded in eight spider families, but is most common in the semi-aquatic raft spiders. There are two species in the UK, along with the only known aquatic spider, the water spider; all three have been observed catching fish. Raft spiders typically dine on invertebrates, but supplement their diet with fish when the opportunity arises. Fishing for either takes patience; the spiders wait with their front legs lightly resting on the water. A panicked invertebrate trapped on the water\u2019s surface will be detected with vibration-sensitive hairs (trichobothria) and the spider will then dash over <\/p>

By Laurie Jackson\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 14 February 2024 at 11:43 AM<\/p>

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How an Australian spider uses its web as a fishing net<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Raft spiders typically dine on invertebrates, but supplement their diet with fish when the opportunity arises. Fishing for either takes patience; the spiders wait with their front legs lightly resting on the water. A panicked invertebrate trapped on the water\u2019s surface will be detected with vibration-sensitive hairs (trichobothria) and the spider will then dash over the water in pursuit of their meal. Once immobilised by venom<\/a>, the catch is hauled ashore.<\/p>
Fish captures may be twice the size of the arachnid<\/a>. If a spider bites off more than it can chew, it retreats underwater to feast in secret among the vegetation. Interestingly, spiders can jump to evade predators, an effective strategy against amphibian attack, but less so against fish. Karma?<\/p>