
Community identification
Wolf Spider
Family Lycosidae
- Order & Family
- Order Araneae, Family Lycosidae
- Size
- 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.38 inches) in body length.
Natural Habitat
Found in a variety of terrestrial habitats including grasslands, forests, gardens, and often accidentally inside homes.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they primarily eat ground-dwelling insects and other small spiders. They are active hunters that do not use webs.
Behavior Patterns
Unlike most spiders, they hunt on the move rather than building webs. Females are known for carrying their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and later carrying spiderlings on their backs.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest insect populations. While they can bite if provoked, their venom is not considered medically significant to most humans, though it may cause minor localized pain or swelling.