Dr. Dovakiin, or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Observe Frostbite Spiders

I've run across Frostbite Spiders helping a few different kinds of enemies, and have come to the conclusion that they are like Stray Dogs, but evil. This realization has only led to more questions.

I must now become the Dovakiin Entomologist, and observe their behaviour.

Minor enemy spoilers ahead! This is research, dammit!

Here is what I know, so far:

• General Behavior - c_megalodon's note: '...on 2 occasions (different caves), giant frost spiders wouldn't chase me when I back up far enough down the corridor. They could've chased me and attack me or spat me with their venom from a distance but they didn't. They just ignored me if I go far enough (but still in the same room). That doesn't seem too evil to me. Just like the Giants, they don't immediately attack you unless you get too close. If they notice you, they'd make gestures telling you to back away and go, not downright attack you (like most bandits do).' Conclusion: Like Giants, Frostbite Spiders are not immediately agressive, and will pose in a threatening manner before resorting to an attack.

• Hagravens - A Hagraven is fighting a Spriggan. Along comes a Frostbite Spider, which helps kill the Spriggan, and then just hangs out with the Hagraven. I thought the spider was dead! I snuck up while invisible, and killed the Hagraven, and though startled by the rousing beast, the enormous Arachnid fell, bludgeoned by my mace. I've also fought Hagravens and spiders together on a few occasions. Conclusion: Allies Hagravens and Frostbite Spiders are allies. Spiders are either compelled or forced to help Hagravens.

• Bears - A bear and a Mountain Troll are fighting. Again, a spider wanders in. This one helps the bear kill the troll, and they both go their seperate ways. Much like how certain predators won't bother fighting each other, because they eat different things. Noisyteslacoil's note: 'I was in a small cave where there were three bears and a spider, and they co-existed as well as tried to kill me.' Sfdavidbest's note: 'I once came across spiders and bears fighting but as soon as they saw me they all attacked me.' Conclusion: Neutral/Allied Bears and Frostbite Spiders seem to be neutral, or allies. A spider will help a bear fight a stronger opponent, but will part ways once the threat is gone. Conflicting observations. -Further Research Needed-

• Falmer - Spiders and Falmer sometimes appear together, in the same cave. Spiders usually stay to their own seperate area that may overlap with Falmer territory. AstrentheReaper's note: 'I've seen a frostbite spider following around a Falmer like a dog, I'm assuming that the falmer, due to their long exposure to these creatures, gained their trust and or friendship. Same with the Chaurus.' trustedsource's note: 'I've come across multiple Falmer Nightstalkers with spiders following them closely like pets or familiars.' Conclusion: Allied Frostbite Spiders and Falmer are allies. They coexist, often assisting each other in battle. Although, their relationship is far removed from that of the Chaurus.

• Enemy Mages - I know I have fought some type of magic users and spiders who were working together (not only Hagravens and Hags/Witches). Necromancers? Vampires? I can't remember... Skelzore's note: 'I was about to fight a Novice Necromancer, and when he found me he shouted "Go forth my pets!" or something like that.' Necromancers may consider Frostbite Spiders to be pets. Summoned, or revived? Or is something else going on here? -Further research needed-

• Wolves - wesaka's note: 'I was near Riften when I killed a spider sneaking with my bow, a wolf and a spider started to look for me, they were friends.' Dmoneater's note: '...near Winterhold, I encountered a spider attacking a wolf pack. I had an arrow drawn and ready to slay the victor, when I noticed a courier (fists out) coming to the insects(sic) aid. After the battle, they parted ways.' GanjaNinjah's note: 'I commonly find 2-3 wolves and a Spider with them, 2 if there are 4 or more wolves. I swear the wolves make me turn in circles and then the spiders leap on my back or spit at my back.' Conclusion: Conflicting observations. -Further Research Needed-

• Mudcrabs - jennaberry's note: I came across a war between 3 frostbite spiders and 3 mudcrabs. One mudcrab came out alive. Conclusion: Mudcrabs and Spiders seem to be Enemies. -Further Research Needed-

It's got me curious about what they help and what they aggro. Was helping the bear random? A glitch? I now know that spiders will always help Hagravens, but do they also always help bears? What's next? Spider/Bear tag-teams!?

What would the result of a 3-way encounter between a spider, a bear, and a Hagraven be?

Does anyone else know of something like this happening with spiders and other enemy types (Sabre Cats, Ice Wraiths, etc.), or even other enemies that work together (excluding the Falmer/Chaurus relationship)?

Note that all of my own observations took place while I was sneaking, invisible, and unnoticed.