Queensland’s ‘surfing’ spider: Brian can hunt preys 3x its size but is not harmful to humans

Believe it or not, a newly discovered species of spider can ride waves, catch fish and even consume frogs, tadpoles and cane toads. Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk unveiled this new species of spider that can also swim and catch fish.

Named Dolomedes briangreenei, the male spider is commonly called Brian. It was unveiled at the World Science Festival in Brisbane on Wednesday. Brian uses vibrations on water surface to navigate and find prey. It is about the size of the palm of a hand.

The amazing arachnid has been named after Brian Greene, science festival co-founder and string theorist. He is also a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University.

“With the announcement last month of humankind’s first detection of gravitational waves — ripples on the surface of space and time — I am particularly honoured to be so closely associated with a spider that has its own deep affinity for waves,” said Greene.

According to Mashable, Brian is endemic to freshwater streams around Brisbane. It can sit under water for an hour to kill and eat preys, even three times its size. Thankfully, they are not dangerous to humans.

“These spiders sit there on the water and then all of a sudden an insect will hit the water and the spider races out to get it, grabs it, dives under the water and then swims back to the shore and starts eating it,” said Principal Scientist of Arachnology at the Queensland Museum, Robert Raven.

Raven added that he has been bitten by the spider. Although it stung a bit, there was no harm done. He discovered the spider while searching for new specimens to be displayed at the Queensland Museum. The World Science Festival will run until Sunday and will bring together the world’s greatest scientific minds.

Brian the spider will soon be on permanent display at the Queensland Museum.