How Small Are Wolf Spiders?

Wolf spiders are large and fast-moving spiders that inhabit a variety of outdoor habitats. They are found in fields, forests, and grasslands. They can also be found in cultivated areas such as gardens. These large predators are easy to spot because of their unique eye arrangement.

They are usually brown, gray, or tan. They have four small eyes in a row on the front, and two medium-sized eyes in the middle. They have a long body, eight legs, and a pedipalp. They can be hard to catch because of their speed.

They are usually solitary and rarely bother humans. However, the bite can be painful and cause swelling. If you are bitten by a wolf spider, seek medical advice immediately.

Some wolf spider species are nocturnal, while others are active during the day. As with most spiders, they shed their exoskeleton many times during their lives.

The underside of a wolf spider is light grey. It has black markings. The upper side of the abdomen is cream or white.

Female wolf spiders have a unique baby care method. They lay eggs and attach them to spinnerets at the end of their abdomen. They then swaddle the eggs in silk. The eggs are enclosed in a gray silk sac.

The mother wolf spider carries her babies on her back until they are strong enough to fend for themselves. Only half of the babies make it to adulthood.

The smallest species are the Schizocosa spiders, which are found in meadows. They prey on springtails, but they are seldom more than a quarter inch in length.