They survive in a variety of terrains, from sea level up to subalpine areas, including shrubland containing Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), swamps and grasslands.

[4] The spider is noticeable in these areas due to the large white nests thickly webbed to the ends of plants throughout these regions.

In other Dolomedes species, sexual cannibalism is high so it is possible that D. minor males will try mate with virgin females to avoid this.

Despite having four prominent posterior eyes, D. minor relies entirely on touch and chemical perception rather than sight in the detection of prey.

These senses are facilitated by hair sensilla on the spiders body that allow them to detect and capture prey with no reliance on sight.

This behaviour is thought to have a direct correlation with the nocturnal instinct of D. minor, with the need for rapid consumption stemming from the limited availability of prey at night.

The number of active insects decreases rapidly after twilight and remains limited until a spike before dawn, this leaves the spiders with only small windows of time in which to capture sufficient prey to nourish themselves.