A water strider stands on the water above "wishing coins" in a neighborhood park koi pond.

From the National Wildlife Federation: "Water striders are small insects that are adapted for life on top of still water, using surface tension to their advantage so they can “walk on water.”

Water striders are about a half-inch long with a thin body and three sets of legs. The water strider's secret is its legs. The legs have tiny hairs that repel...
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A water strider stands on the water above "wishing coins" in a neighborhood park koi pond.

From the National Wildlife Federation: "Water striders are small insects that are adapted for life on top of still water, using surface tension to their advantage so they can “walk on water.”

Water striders are about a half-inch long with a thin body and three sets of legs. The water strider's secret is its legs. The legs have tiny hairs that repel water and capture air. By repelling water, the tiny water striders stand on the water’s surface and the captured airs allows them to float and move easily."
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