I found this odd looking spider floating in my swimming pool. I fished it out with the net thinking it would be an interesting subject for some macro photogrpahy. The spider appeared to have strange bumps all over it's back. However, on closer inspection, those "bumps" where actually dozens of tiny baby spiders riding on her back.

I got the mother onto a sheet of paper to try and take some pictures. When she tried to run off the paper, I pushed her back to the center. After doing this a few times, I accidentally flipped her over, and she instantly started to curl up and die. Soon after, all the baby spiders started leaving.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I must have caused her to panic. I've since learned that when a mother wolf spider is in danger, she will send out a chemical that will cause the baby spiders to feast on her and kill her. Out of desparation, the mother gives her self up and becomes the last meal for the babies before they run off into the world.