big black spider(approx. 1.5 in. in diameter)
Posted by bremo morris on April 12, 2006
Q: it was a black spider, very largeand it was in a creek behind my grandmas house and it was around the grassy areas by the waters. just wondering if you knew the species!:) it caught a small tadpole in the water and it made me want to get away from it. also, if you know the species, is it venomous and should i keep out of the creek?
Habitat: stream/river
State: Georgia
Habitat: stream/river
A: It sounds to me that you saw a Dolomedes (also called fishing) spider. These spiders are reasonably common, don't spin a web to catch food but instead run after their prey. If you got to see the spider catch a tadpole, you were lucky, most people never get to see something like this. Fishing Spiders, like all spiders, do have some venom but are not dangerous. Only two species of spiders in North America are considered dangerous (Black Widow and Brown Recluse) and these both make webs and do not crawl about on the ground. So, feel free to enjoy your grandma's place - that spider won't hurt you.
John Wiessinger ( April 12, 2006)