**Description:** Slender, long-legged insects famous for their ability to "walk" or skate on the surface of the water.
**Size:** Body length of 0.3 to 0.6 inches.
**Behavior:** Use surface tension and water-repellent foot hairs to stay afloat. They are vibration-sensitive predators that hunt struggling insects on the surface.
**Identification:** Often mistaken for spiders, but they have six legs. Middle and hind legs are used for rowing and steering.
**Habitat:** Calm surfaces of beaver ponds, stream pools, and sheltered reservoir coves.