Wolf Spider

Natural Habitat

Widely distributed and can be found in various habitats, including grasslands, forests, deserts, suburban gardens, and sometimes indoors, especially in basements, garages, or ground-level rooms.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly other insects and small invertebrates, such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and other spiders. Larger wolf spiders may occasionally prey on small vertebrates like frogs or lizards.

Behavior Patterns

Wolf spiders are solitary hunters that do not build webs to catch prey. They actively stalk and pounce on their prey. They are fast runners and primarily nocturnal, though some species are active during the day. Females carry their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and, after hatching, carry their spiderlings on their back for a period.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Bites are generally not medically significant for humans, but can be painful and cause localized swelling, redness, and itching. Allergic reactions are rare but possible. Benefits: They are natural pest controllers, preying on many common household and garden insects, which can help regulate insect populations without the need for chemical pesticides.

Identified on: 8/30/2025