Many species of Wolf Spider have a wide distribution. They can be fussy about habitat type, however, and have specific preferences for things such as gravelly creek banks, grassy fields high on mountains or sandy coastal dunes. 

Some Wolfies prowl suburban parks and gardens and are a welcome addition to the organic pest control fleet. The Queensland Museum says there are even a couple of species known to enjoy a cane toad or two for tea!

Wolf Spiders depend on excellent eyesight and an acute sense of touch to hunt. Their eight eyes are arranged in three rows. The bottom row has four small eyes, the middle row, two very large ones and the top row has two medium sized eyes. This makes them easy to spot in the torchlight at night when their eyes will shine like “little white diamonds in the grass”.

Many Wolf Spiders build burrows while others simply hide from the elements under leaves and logs. Wolf Spider mating happens outside the female’s burrow at night with the male using scent markings on drag-line silk to find her. Wolfish romance involves male spiders using complex leg and palp signals to court their chosen lady.

Female spiders weave a silk egg sac that they attach to their spinnerets. They are particularly attentive parents and after the spiderlings hatch they are carried on mum’s back until they are ready to disperse. 

Unlike some Tarantula species that can live for 15 to 20 years, Wolf Spiders are not particularly long lived and don’t normally need more than one or two birthday candles.

Wolf Spiders don’t often bite humans. When they do, the bite is often minor and symptoms are usually limited to local pain or itchiness and can be relieved with a cold pack. If symptoms persist or if they include nausea or dizziness seek medical attention.