
Community identification
Woodlouse hunter spider
Dysdera crocata
- Order & Family
- Araneae; Dysderidae
- Size
- Body about 1–2 cm long; legs extend the overall span.
Natural Habitat
Often found in damp, sheltered places indoors, beneath stones, logs, and debris outdoors.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly hunts woodlice (pill bugs), using its large jaws to pierce their hard coverings.
Behavior Patterns
A nocturnal, ground-dwelling hunter that hides by day; females guard silk egg sacs.
Risks & Benefits
Not aggressive; a bite can cause brief localized pain and swelling. It helps control woodlice and is not dangerous to people.