Giant water spider

Giant water spiders were a common species of monstrous spider that were adapted to living in freshwater environments.

Behavior
Giant water spiders possessed a slight degree of intelligence. Because of this, creatures such as nixies were sometimes known to establish a relationship with then, often by means of offering food. But like any spider, they were liable to attack any creature that disturbed their home.

Biology
These creatures possessed a powerful poisonous bite. Their bodies were well adapted for running all across vegetative and mineral surfaces underwater.

Sub-Species

 * Giant marine spiders: A rare species of water spider that was larger than others and found only in saltwater environments.

Lairs
Giant water spiders would build large nests amidst underwater vegetation that acted as a pocket of air. Any prey that was caught while out hunting would be dragged back to this lair, where they could safely cocoon them for later digestion.

Habitats
These creatures were only known to inhabit freshwater lakes, though a rarely encountered sub-species lived in saltwater habitats.

In particular, giant water spiders were known to occasionally be found in the lakes of Cormanthor, the neighboring Moonsea region's lake of the same name, the River Ashaba, Dragon Reach, and the Marsh of Chelimber. Beneath the cold plains and Galena Mountains of the Vaasa region, they inhabited an Underdark cavern sacred to Kiaransalee known as the Vault of Gnashing Teeth.

Following the Spellplague, giant water spiders could be found in the Vilhon Reach.

In the region of Kara-tur, they could be found in the rivers of Akari island.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Ochimo: The Spirit Warrior • Ronin Challenge
 * Novels
 * Storm of the Dead