Spider? oh-man!

Grant · 07-09-2004, 11:26 AM

In the end, nothing compares to dock spiders. I believe their general category is "fisher" spiders. But ever since I was a kid, I've been amazed by the size and speed of these things. We've always called them "dock spiders," and are convinced that they are a unique and mythical breed -- capable of amazing feats and not to be messed with...

Mink Islander · 07-09-2004, 12:36 PM

Aren't dock spiders just wolf spiders? I saw a really big one some years back that had run down a toad and firmly attached itself to the poor thing's lower back, no doubt paralyzing it with venom. Like something out of "Arachnophobia" -- a classic black comedy about malevolent spiders!

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-09-2004, 01:27 PM

If this thread wasn't enough to freak you out, here is information and photos of the Wolf and Dock Spiders.
Wolf and Fishing/Dock Spiders
Dock Spider

Grant · 07-09-2004, 01:37 PM

Funny -- In the wake of the dive guy's Brown Recluse bite, I was reading my spiders & insects field guide at home the other day and started thumbing through the spiders -- found a whole page of various spiders that resembled "dock" spiders. I'd always assumed (or had heard growing up) that they were wolf spiders. Well, some are, but others are definitely fisher spiders. No mistaking that body shape, color and markings. So cool. Just glad they ain't in my house down here.

07-09-2004, 11:26 AM	#1
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 385 Thanked 232 Times in 126 Posts	Dock Spiders In the end, nothing compares to dock spiders. I believe their general category is "fisher" spiders. But ever since I was a kid, I've been amazed by the size and speed of these things. We've always called them "dock spiders," and are convinced that they are a unique and mythical breed -- capable of amazing feats and not to be messed with...

07-09-2004, 12:36 PM	#2
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Dock Spiders Aren't dock spiders just wolf spiders? I saw a really big one some years back that had run down a toad and firmly attached itself to the poor thing's lower back, no doubt paralyzing it with venom. Like something out of "Arachnophobia" -- a classic black comedy about malevolent spiders!

07-09-2004, 01:27 PM	#3
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	If this thread wasn't enough to freak you out, here is information and photos of the Wolf and Dock Spiders. Wolf and Fishing/Dock Spiders Dock Spider Last edited by Rattlesnake Gal; 07-09-2004 at 01:29 PM.

07-09-2004, 01:37 PM	#4
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 385 Thanked 232 Times in 126 Posts	Dock - Wolf, Fisher, etc... Funny -- In the wake of the dive guy's Brown Recluse bite, I was reading my spiders & insects field guide at home the other day and started thumbing through the spiders -- found a whole page of various spiders that resembled "dock" spiders. I'd always assumed (or had heard growing up) that they were wolf spiders. Well, some are, but others are definitely fisher spiders. No mistaking that body shape, color and markings. So cool. Just glad they ain't in my house down here.