Wolf Spider Facts | San Diego Pest Control Experts
There are many species of spiders that fall under the umbrella term “wolf spider”. This name denotes a spider which is large, athletic and dark in coloration. Instead of using webs to catch their prey, wolf spiders will hunt them violently. The wolf spider is also set apart by its unique parenting habits.
Appearance
The wolf spider can range in coloration from grey to tan, brown and even black. Many species will also have dark markings, usually stripes. This appearance is very useful as camouflage, which allows the wolf spider to stay safe from predators, while stalking its prey. In terms of size, wolf spiders can range from ¼ inch to more than an inch, with females being usually larger than the males.
Behavior
Wolf spiders will bite when threatened, but unlike black widows and brown recluses, they do not possess a venom powerful enough to harm humans. At most, the bite will lead to swelling, redness and pain.
A nocturnal, solitary species, the wolf spider will mostly live on the ground, hiding in vegetation and leaf litter, or digging tunnels underground where it can hide safely. Some species will also climb trees in order to capture their prey, or go inside the tunnels of other insects and animals looking for a snack. These spiders can be either nomadic, or have a set territory in which they hunt.
The diet of the wolf spider consists of mostly ground-dwelling insects and sometimes other spiders. The large females may also feed on small vertebrates. The hunting method depends on the species. Some wolf spiders will chase the prey and grab it, while others prefer the more indirect approach of stalking and ambushing. When they come across their prey, they will jump on it, hold it and roll on their backs before biting it.
Wolf spiders are also set apart from other spider species due to their mating and young rearing habits. A female wolf spider will lay its eggs and then wrap them up in an egg sac, which it then carries around. It will be very protective of these eggs and go to great lengths to recover the sac if it is lost. Once the eggs are hatched, the spiderlings will climb on the female’s back and stick around for a few days until they are capable of setting out on their own.
If you notice these spiders in your home and you would like to get rid of them, contact us today, and we will help you get them under control.
Source:
https://www.livescience.com/41467-wolf-spider.html
