Animal Profiles
Arachnids

Wolf Spider

Lycosidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Wolf spiders are ground-hunting arachnids. This account follows the Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis), using the cited Pennsylvania account's local observations.

Hogna carolinensis, the representative described in this account.

Hogna carolinensis, the representative described in this account.

blazeclaw · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Carolina wolf spiders shelter in soil retreats and other protected spaces.
Habitat
Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
These spiders hunt small animals rather than relying on a large capture web.

Classification

Common name
Wolf Spider
Browse group
Arachnids
Scientific name or taxon
Lycosidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Araneae
Family
Lycosidae
Source classification
Arachnida

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It hunts rather than building a capture web.
  • Females are generally larger.
  • Mothers carry young spiderlings.

Habitat and range

Carolina wolf spiders shelter in soil retreats and other protected spaces. Stones, boards and similar cover provide hiding places from which the spiders emerge to hunt.

Appearance and adaptations

A large brown body carries scattered pale hairs and eight legs. The abdomen can have a darker stripe, and females are generally larger than males.

Diet and behaviour

These spiders hunt small animals rather than relying on a large capture web. Activity is mainly nocturnal. Females protect egg sacs and later carry young spiderlings on their bodies.

Sources

Explore arachnids

Browse all arachnids