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Instead of hemoglobin, the wolf spider’s circulatory system uses hemolymph, a respiratory protein. This type of circulatory system doesn’t deliver blood to the organs and internal tissues through blood vessels. Wolf spiders have an open circulatory system. Wolf spiders have palps located near the jaw that act as sensory structures and double for the male’s sperm storage. The chelicerae contain two very sharp fangs that are positioned horizontally at the bottom of the jaws. Once the toxin has taken effect, wolf spiders use their jaws to eat. They use their jaws to capture and hold prey while injecting them with venom. Wolf spiders’ jaws, or chelicerae, have several purposes. They quickly attack prey, while other spiders like the brown recluse spider typically hide in dark, undisturbed areas. They are often spotted scurrying across open ground. Appropriately, their behavioral traits can help identify wolf spiders.
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Wolf spiders are often mistaken for other species of spiders such as nursery web spiders, brown recluse spiders, fishing spiders, and even tarantulas. There are around 200 species of wolf spiders belonging to the Family Lycosidae throughout the United States and Canada. Unlike other spider species that are ambush hunters that build webs and lay in wait for an unsuspecting critter to become a meal, wolf spiders are swift runners and chase down their prey, much like a wolf does. Do Wolf Spiders Bite and Are They Poisonous?Ī wolf spider is a relatively large and hairy arachnid that has been named by how it hunts its prey.
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However, they are considered to be of very little threat to the human population, but if the bite is not treated, can result in necrosis. The area may swell up and become itchy which is a sign that medical attention is needed. In some locations though it is necessary for medication to be given. Those found in the USA don’t seem to cause more than just some pain that will away in a few days. This can contribute to them having such a wide distribution. If it is very windy the young will be blown off. This helps them to remain hidden from potential predators. When the young are born they are able to catch a ride on the back of their mother. She will have to walk holding her abdominal area up so that the egg sack won’t be damaged by dragging on the ground. It looks like a very shiny white silky area at the end of her body. The females will carry the egg sacks with them. They may dance or do other rituals to be able to get her to calm down. The females can be aggressive so the males come along timid and ready to please. She may accept such advances or she may make him go away. The males are attracted to the females due to her scent. However, they can also slow down their metabolism when food is in short supply. They have a flexible abdomen so they can eat lots of food when they have the opportunity. Some of their food sources include flies and crickets. They will also pounce on it from a location where they have been patiently waiting for something to come along. The have been seen chasing prey for short distances. When the temperatures turn colder though more of them seem to be found around homes and garages. You will have to look hard for them to find them. Other Wolf Spiders will hide out under rocks and other elements they can find in nature. They use pebbles to block holes too so that they don’t get any rain in their burrow. This can be a very cleaver way to trap prey. They are very intelligent and may put a trap door on that burrow. It isn’t uncommon for them to dig deep burrows where they will spend lots of time. They are considered to have one of the most diverse distributions of all Spiders. There really isn’t a place where they won’t live though as long as they can get food. You will find them living inland as well as around the coasts. They have a very important role there as it helps to keep the population of insects under control. They are often found living in pastures and fields. Those can have a body that is about 1 inch long, while in many other places that are about half that side.
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The Wolf Spider lives in many regions around the world, with the largest ones being around North Carolina. They will blend into their surroundings as camouflage. The colors vary often depending on which part of the habitat that they happen to be living in. They have a very good sense of touch that allows them to work all of their senses together. They have three rows of eyes and they vary in size by row. This particular species of Spider has 8 eyes. Their name comes form the fact that their face does look wolf like when you view it up closely. Like all Spiders they tend to do well living around. The Wolf Spider are very agile and they move quickly. Wolf Spider – Family Lycosidae Introduction
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