The Rabid Wolf Spider, Rabidosa rabida, is an arachnid with a distinctive appearance and active lifestyle. These spiders typically have a dark gray cephalothorax with two light longitudinal stripes and a narrow light line on each side. The abdomen features a dark median band with several pairs of light spots.
Females are larger than males, averaging 16 to 21 mm in length, while males are about 13 mm. They are widely distributed across North America, from Maine to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma. They commonly inhabit wooded areas, cotton fields, and even buildings, often found among leaf litter, in holes, or under rocks.
A Diet of Insects and Beyond
The Rabid Wolf Spider is an opportunistic predator, eating a variety of insects and other small arthropods. Their diet commonly includes ground-dwelling insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and flies. They also prey on other spiders, including smaller wolf spiders. This active hunting style makes them beneficial in controlling insect populations within their ecosystems. Both adult and juvenile Rabid Wolf Spiders use their fangs to deliver venom, subduing prey.
Master Hunter: How They Catch Their Prey
Unlike many other spider species, Rabid Wolf Spiders do not construct webs to capture prey. Instead, they are active hunters that rely on their speed, agility, and keen eyesight to pursue and ambush their food. They often wait for prey to appear before rushing out to capture it, and if no prey is in sight, they may move to a new location.
Some individuals might even camouflage themselves as bark or leaves to await unsuspecting victims. They are solitary hunters and are frequently observed moving about at night. When hunting, small prey items are bitten immediately. For larger prey, the spider may enclose the victim in a basket formed by its legs before delivering a bite.
Dispelling the “Rabid” Myth
Despite its common name, the Rabid Wolf Spider is not actually rabid and cannot transmit the rabies virus. Rabies is a viral disease that affects only mammals, so spiders cannot transmit it. The “rabid” part of its name likely stems from its quick, erratic movements, which can appear frenzied or “crazed.”
These spiders are generally shy and prefer to escape when threatened. If provoked or cornered, they may bite defensively, but their bites are typically mild and not medically significant for humans. Any discomfort from a bite is usually localized, resolving on its own without medical attention.