Backyard Bushcraft - The Rabid Wolf Spider in Texas

In Texas, things have a tendency to be really big, both literally and figuratively. The Texas Rabid Wolf Spider is just one example of a really big spider. It is one of the largest and most common spiders found in Texas. The female, which is much larger than the male, can have a body length of almost an inch to as much as two inches in larger specimens. The males are usually much smaller with a total body length of about half an inch. This is without including their very long legs.

The Texas Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida) is often confused with other wolf spiders. Although there are over 60 different species in Texas alone, there are numerous differences in the appearance of wolf spiders. The rabid wolf spider can be easily identified by the stripe pattern on its body. As seen in the picture above, the thorax or front body section usually has two dark stripes. The abdomen or rear body section has one dark stripe surrounded by two smaller and paler stripes. This particular rabid wolf spider was a very large female. Yes, things really are bigger in Texas, including our spiders.

Rabid wolf spiders depend on their eyesight and blazing speed to catch their prey and don’t rely on webs like most spiders. The rabid wolf spider hunts down its prey using its eyesight and amazing speed (they are very fast and can cover several feet in a matter of seconds) to catch or ambush its prey. It then crushes them in its strong jaws (cheliceraes). Although they generally have good vision (for a spider anyway), wolf spiders still have difficulty distinguishing your fingers from an insect.

As a result, they can inflict extremely painful bites which are venomous and can be a very unpleasant experience. If a bite penetrates your skin, it can cause painful swelling and itchiness. Normally, only the very large wolf spiders are capable of inflicting a bite that will penetrate the skin. While many people only experience symptoms similar to a bee sting for a short period, it can affect some people quite differently with a bite that may take several days to heal. Generally, you won’t have a problem with these spiders since they are very shy and will run away quickly if given the chance.

 These spiders are very beneficial in helping to control the insect population and like to hang around in all the wrong places. Most people usually encounter these spiders around doors and windows in homes, basements, garages and sheds where their prey is normally found. As a result, you are much more likely to encounter one of these amazing creatures. They can also be found in backyards around rocks, leaf litter and debris.

Got blazing speed and strong jaws?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker