Wolf Spider

Scientific Name: Lycosidae family (genus often Hogna or Tigrosa)

Order & Family: Order Araneae, Family Lycosidae

Size: Body length 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.38 inches), excluding leg span.

Wolf Spider

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in varied habitats including grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and sometimes inside human dwellings during cooler weather.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; hunts insects and other small spiders. They are active hunters that chase or ambush prey rather than using webs.

Behavior Patterns

Solitary and primarily nocturnal. Known for excellent eyesight and speed. Females show unique maternal care by carrying their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and later carrying hatchlings on their backs.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. Generally harmless to humans; while they can bite if provoked or handled, their venom is not medically significant, typically causing only minor localized pain or swelling.

Identified on: 3/13/2026