Wolf spiders Lycosa sp

The Wolf spider got its name because it stalks its prey like a wild dog. It is an open range hunting spider. The female grows to 35mm and the male to 20mm, considered to be a small to medium size spider. They can be grey or brown with marking on their back which can be black, orange, grey or brown.

The Wolf spider has three rows of eyes, two at the back, two in the centre and four in the front. It is not an aggressive spider but if the spider is handled, it can cause a painful bite which may cause infection and skin lesions to some people. Wolf spiders may sit at the lip of their burrow and when provoked, they may rear up in defence. REF6

Common in open areas, paddocks, grassland and suburban gardens, there are several other species of wolf spiders in all parts of Australia, most of them differing in size and colour.

Females carry egg sac attached to spinnerets under their abdomen. Young spiders swarm all over mother for a few days before dispersing. Mature Wolf spiders sometimes wander into homes, but cannot breed or survive long indoors REF22