Water spider

Fact Box Species: Dolomedes facetus (ID by Dr. R. Raven, Qld. Mus.) Family: Pisauridae Body length: female: 21 mm male: at least 10 mm Habitat: This spider has the ability to run on water surfaces but is much more likely to be found on or under green leaves in warmer and wetter forests Toxicity: The toxicity of the venom of this species is unknown but may cause mild illness in humans

Eye pattern Another female Underneath female Immature male

Known Range: This is widely found in damp bush settings from Broome across Northern Australia and all down the east coast to Tasmania as well as in the South-west corner of WA.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Some cycloctenid species and wolf spiders such as Tasmanicosa godeffroyi, although it is noteworthy that water spiders lack the pair of large eyes that characterise lycosids.