Dolomedes triton question

8 legged

Arachnoprince
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Messages
1,069
I fed my adult Dolomedes triton female today. She took the food, but then got startled by my movement and hid under the water. So far nothing special... I kept watching her, after about a minute she had released a huge amount of spider silk within a very short time. I have never observed this before. The animal, still under water, was completely covered with spider willow. Is that for defense or camouflage or was it a pure stress reaction. Anyone have info on this?

Hunted her food...
DSCN5573.JPG

...under water...
DSCN5567.JPG

After the following "silk-action" she waited 30 sec. and came back to the surface. She is eating now ;-)
DSCN5571.JPG
 

8 legged

Arachnoprince
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Messages
1,069
I think so. I could take the white stuff out, it was in lines (no poo).
 
Top