At a glance
Essentials
- Size
- Male: 10-13 mm; Female: 12-15 mm. The range may vary with age, sex and population.
- Distribution
- Palearctic distribution: Europe, Canary Islands, Madeira, Asian part of Russia, China, and North Africa.
- Habitat
- Prefers humid environments such as meadows, bogs, marshes, and forest edges; not found under rocks or in caves.
- Activity
- Hunts prey during the day and night; also active on warm winter days.
- Diet
- Feeds by hunting prey in low vegetation; does not weave webs to capture them.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
It has long legs, with the fourth pair being the longest, and a slender, elongated abdomen.
- 02
The cephalothorax shows a dark longitudinal band with a central light line, and the general coloration varies from grey to brown.
- 03
The pedipalps of males thicken towards the end (bulbus), while in females and nymphs they are similar to the legs.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Pisaura mirabilis is a species of araneomorph spider belonging to the family Pisauridae. Unlike many other spiders, it does not build a typical web to capture prey, but feeds by active hunting in low vegetation, leaving draglines on the ground. Its distribution is Palearctic, found throughout Europe, as well as in the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Asian part of Russia, China, and North Africa. It inhabits various environments, although it prefers humid habitats such as wet meadows, lowland bogs, salt marshes, dunes, forest edges, and wet hedges. It is found in all strata, from the ground to the tree canopy, although it is not located under rocks or in caves. Regarding its morphology, it has long legs, with the fourth pair being the longest, and a slender, elongated abdomen that tapers towards the posterior end. The cephalothorax has variable coloration, ranging from grey to brown, with a dark longitudinal band and a central light line. The external chelicerae have three teeth. The male measures between 10 and 13 mm, while the female measures between 12 and 15 mm. In males, the pedipalps thicken towards the end to store sperm, while in females and nymphs they resemble the legs.