What You Should Know About the Wolf Spider
A wolf spider is an attractive and colorful member of the Lycosidae family. They are large, robust, and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. Wolf spiders live solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs. And don't be afraid to touch them - their bites are safe. This fact may surprise you, so read on to learn more about this beautiful creature. Here's what you should know about these spiders.
wolf spiders are not poisonous
While wolf spiders are not poisonous, the venom in their bites can be irritating and painful unless provoked. Wolf spiders rarely notice being bitten, and they only attack in self-defense. However, even though wolf spiders are not poisonous, they can be dangerous if they are allergic or if you come into contact with them without gloves. Therefore, get professional medical treatment if you come into contact with a wolf spider.
They hunt by stalking.
Wolf spiders hunt by stalking prey, usually other wolf spiders. These nocturnal creatures can be spotted for miles around. They are swift and well-adapted to their environment. Wolf spiders hunt by stalking, and they have excellent visual acuity. Their keen vision helps them see the minor details, so they can often spot a small animal or insect before it does.
They do not spin webs.
A fascinating fact about wolf spiders is that they do not spin webs. Wolf spiders are terrestrial species that live in leaf litter and plant life. They do not spin webs but build burrows in rock or soil when resting. People often find wolf spiders in their yards. These spiders do not spin webs, but they use their long legs to suck out the innards of prey.
They do not have a nasty bite.
Most wolf spiders do not have a nasty bite. Instead of spinning webs, wolf spiders hunt for prey on dry land. The venom that they inject dissolves prey in innards and can be used to suck out the innards. This makes wolves an extremely dangerous insect to have around your home. However, it would help if you never attempted to kill a wolf spider because of their non-venomous bite.
They live in caves.
Some spiders live in caves, like wolf spiders, but others do not. Many spiders, including trapdoor and wolf spiders, live in caves, but only a few burrows regularly. Wolf spiders typically burrow for two to four years, and their holes are characterized by a gradual increase in diameter as the spider grows. A wolf spider's burrow is approximately 115 to 130 mm long. Its neck is narrow, between 12 and 15 mm in diameter, and the upper portion is eight to ten mm extended. The lower neck is 18 to 28 mm long, and its maximum diameter is 23 mm. The entrance outline is subcircular, and the cross-section of the maximum diameter is roughly 60 percent larger than the neck.
They are common household pests.
Although wolf spiders are commonly feared as a potential pests, they are beneficial in some ways. They feed on insects that humans would otherwise eat. While these spiders can be giant, they are not harmful and only bite when provoked. They are loners, meaning you are likely to see just one at a time. These spiders are generally solitary creatures, so they won't attack without reason.
They camouflage well
The coloration of wolf spiders is unusually brown, gray, or black. Although there are rare cases of wolf spiders with light colors, they blend well with their environment. Male wolf spiders use their powerful forelimbs to attract females. These spiders are native to most countries except Antarctica. While they are most commonly found in tropical areas, they are also found in cold climates. They also occupy forests, caves, and lava tubes.
They are agile
Spiders are not insects but arachnids with eight legs, fangs, and a diverse diet. Despite being arachnids, they are incredibly efficient predators, eliminating annoying insects with their bites. Spiders are easy to admire indoors and outdoors, but they can be scary if you're not careful! These spiders like to ambush their prey, and females carry the baby spiders on their backs. The wolf spider is remarkably agile and runs fast, thanks to its keen eyesight.
They feed on insects.
Though the name might scare you, wolf spiders are harmless to humans and can't harm us. Unlike some other spiders, wolf spiders only bite when handled or trapped against our skin. If you catch a wolf spider with your thumb or rolled newspaper, it will simply crawl away without harming you. Fortunately, these spiders are beneficial in the outdoor environment and can help keep your garden and lawn pest-free.
