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Comments & ID Thoughts
This 2 inch wide spider was lurking in my deck furniture cover. The deck is 2 stories from the ground. We had warm weather today 70 and sunny. Location, Lake Mohawk Malvern, Ohio.
- Submitted by:
- Submitted: Apr 13, 2019
- Photographed: Apr 13, 2019
- Spider: Dolomedes tenebrosus (Dark Fishing Spider)
- Location: Malvern, Ohio, United States
- Spotted Outdoors: Man-made structure (building wall, fences, etc.)
- Found in web?: No
- Attributes: Dorsal
Nov 29, 2023
Sep 29, 2023
White, 
Dark fishing spider?
Hi. A very nice photo of a female dark fishing spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus species. Not dangerous at all but can bolt quick if spooked. Not aggressive at all unless guarding eggs or young in their nursery web.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2011
May be sub adult yet, many I have seen get over 3 inches across the legs, cover the palm of my hand.
I would like to know if I should relocate him closer to the lake on a dock, or can I just coax him into the area of our yard with trees? As fascinated as I am by spiders my guests will not appreciate him living on and sharing our deck furniture and cushions!
This and another fishing spider are not always found near water, your little friend would be happy in the brush at a rock pile. They often chill on vertical surfaces, so a tree perhaps. Alternate, fishing spiders do well in captivity, a suitable enclosure all it would like is a hide food in the form of insects, and a little water available. A piece of cork bark to chill on or hide behind. Very easy to keep spiders and not demanding or particular. Now the problem arises trying to catch these. They tend to bolt like lightning if spooked, even… Read more »