Spruce-fir-moss spider in the wild

The spruce-fir moss spider is an endangered animal found only on the highest peaks of the Southern Appalachians. As its name implies, it lives in moss mats on the forest floor beneath the spruce-fir forest canopy. Even in that limited habitat, it is very particular about the type of moss it lives in.

Sue Cameron is the Service expert for this species, and she recently visited Mount Mitchell State Park to search for the spider, and download humidity and temperature from data loggers that are continually recording the environmental data that may guide future management efforts.