Nursery spider
Pisaurina mira

Nursery spiders are fast, strong hunters who spin protective, silken tents to place their eggs in.

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Nursery spider begins making a web shelter on a plant.
Female nursery spiders spin a small silken tent where they can put the egg sac. (Photo courtesy of Dave/iNaturalist CC BY-NC, cropped and toned)

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Appearance

Nursery spiders are larger than most spiders and typically have a dark brown band that runs from their eyes to the base of their abdomen (the top part of the spider). Their body is usually a cream color with dark grey legs. Their eyes have black rings around them. 

Feeding

Nursery spiders do not use a web to capture prey. Instead, they hunt down prey and use venom. They are fast and very strong, often nailing down insects and small fish that are larger than they are. They can camouflage themselves with dirt and leaf litter and will ambush prey. 

Predators

Birds, amphibians and larger insects. 

Reproduction and life cycle

Females lay eggs in a silken egg sac which they then carry in their jaws. Before those eggs hatch, the female will spin a small silken tent and put the egg sac inside. This is where they get their name “nursery spider.” Typically, females stay to protect the egg sac while males hunt.

Did you know?

  • Males will present a fly to females during courtship. 
  • Three tarsal toe claws on each foot make them good climbers. 

Sources and additional information

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