There are a number of wolf spiders found in the United States and Canada. Generally speaking, wolf spiders are hairy and bear a stripe down the dorsal side. The females measure about 3/8″ to 1-3/8″ in body length, while the males are smaller, usually 1/4″ to 3/4″ long. They have bristly, long legs with three claws at the end of each.
When measured with their legs included, these spiders can get as large as five inches, so they can look rather terrifying to people. Because of their hairy appearance and size, these spiders are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas.
The striping on the dorsal side is usually lighter in color than the rest of the spider, which is often brown, grayish, or black. Sometimes the coloration is the opposite, with a lighter color overall and darker striping.
They have eight eyes arranged in three rows-four small eyes in the front, then two large eyes in the center row, and two smaller ones behind.
Wolf spiders are fast moving and are found mostly outdoors. If seen inside a home, it is usually when the spider is hunting for prey. Outside, they can be found among leaves, under rocks, in wood piles, under decks, or other ground-level areas where they can locate prey. They do not build webs, but create burrow-type retreats in these areas. They hunt for their prey-generally insects and other spiders-and do so mainly at night, although they are sometimes active in the daytime as well.
Female wolf spiders carry their egg sac on the under side of their abdomens. A female can be seen carrying spiderlings on her back, which she will do for several days or a couple of weeks before they disperse. Many spiders do not carry their young, so this behavior may help one identify wolf spiders.