
Community identification
Wolf Spider
Lycosidae
- Order & Family
- Order Araneae, Family Lycosidae
- Size
- 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.38 inches) in body length depending on the species
Natural Habitat
Found globally in varied habitats including grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and sandy terrain; most live on the ground in burrows or under debris.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they are active hunters that eat ground-dwelling insects, other spiders, and small invertebrates.
Behavior Patterns
Unlike most spiders, they do not spin webs to catch prey. They are agile, nocturnal hunters with excellent eyesight. Females are known for carrying their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and later carrying spiderlings on their backs.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits include natural pest control by eating common yard insects. While they can bite if provoked, their venom is not lethal to humans, typically causing only minor pain, redness, or swelling similar to a bee sting.