In Europe, the family Pisauridae is represented by a pair of species from two genera (Pisaura and Dolomedes). They are fairly large spiders with long, sturdy legs. They have well-developed vision and actively hunt their prey either on low vegetation (Pisaura) or on or near the water surface (Dolomedes).
Females of the beautiful wolf spiders weave a fairly large egg sac, which they hold with their palps (chelicerae) and pedipalps, and carry with them on the underside of their bodies. Before the spiderlings hatch from the egg sac, the female attaches it to vegetation and spreads a 'tent' around and over it. The spider's egg sac then opens a little, and then it positions itself on the underside of the 'maternity tent' and carefully guards its tiny offspring.
