Fen raft spider

It can run across the surface of water by using surface tension, the force that keeps the water's skin intact.1

It can also hunt underwater by running down plant stems, and it can use this route to escape predators.1

It detects prey using sensory hairs on its legs, which pick up the vibrations made when prey hits the water.1

Before hatching, the female builds a tent-like nursery web on plants above the water, where she guards the young.1

In 2010, around 1,600 hand-reared spiderlings were released at a new UK site, which were fed on fruit flies.1

Males mate early in the season and most die by late July. Females survive until the end of summer.1