This water spider has eight legs, no wings, and a body which is divided into two sections. The similar water strider (see water strider) has six legs and wings.
The fishing spider captures its food by waiting until it detects just the right ripples in the water. Then it can run across the surface of the water and capture its prey. After catching it, the spider bites it and injects a venom that dissolves the body. The spider then sucks out its prey's body juices - a type of "animal slurpy."
When it goes underwater, it carries a bubble of air along like a scuba diver does. The spider's favorite foods are insects, small fish, and tadpoles. Don't worry, even though they are huge spiders, they are too small to hurt you. Read more about spiders.
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Water Critters