How do the eye arrangements of fishing spiders differ from those of terrestrial wolf spiders?
Fishing spiders have eight eyes in two rows; wolf spiders have four eyes in a distinct forward-facing straight line below
While both fishing spiders and wolf spiders are large, non-web-building hunters that can be easily confused, scientific identification relies heavily on precise anatomical differences, particularly eye configuration. Fishing spiders exhibit a pattern where all eight eyes are situated across two distinct rows. In contrast, wolf spiders (*Lycosa* genus) have a very specific visual arrangement, characterized by having four eyes positioned in a clear, straight line that faces directly forward on the bottom row. The aquatic ability of the *Dolomedes* genus remains the most practical differentiator outside of microscopic examination.

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Fishing Spider facts: also raft spider rafts | Animal Fact Files - YouTube