The wolf spider is an amazing arthropod. It differs little from other arachnid species in its anatomy and appearance, but at the same time it has a number of unique features and hunting habits. All types of spiders of this extremely widespread family possess purely individual traits. Their only common characteristic is swiftness. These are very fast and motile arthropods. However, first things first.
The family of arachnids with the common name "spider-wolf" has more than a hundred births, which are distinguished by the speed of reaction of a born hunter, incredible agility and a developed moving body. To date, more than two thousand species of these insects have already been discovered. The arthropod families of the wolf spider live on all continents of our planet, with the exception of the cold and little suitable for life Antarctica.
These insects prefer moist, warm climates, the richest in food. They are often found in forests, shrubs, grassy bushes, sometimes wetlands are their habitat. The wolf spider, thanks to its color, which can vary from black and gray to yellow, is fluent in the art of camouflage. Often it is simply indistinguishable in fallen leaves or under stones.
Spiders of this family are usually small, but their size can also vary in a very significant range: from tiny specimens a little more than one millimeter long to individuals whose size exceeds four centimeters. The body shape of wolf spiders is typical for all species of arachnids, consists of four pairs of legs and head, which performs the functions of breathing, nutrition and vision, which are traditional for all living things.
These spiders live, whose species are extremely diverse, from one year to several years. In all known species of wolf spiders, life expectancy varies somewhat. Representatives of this family prefer a lonely lifestyle. They migrate in search of food or equip small minks if the area is rich in food. The basis of their diet is made up of various insects, which is also traditional for arachnids. This arthropod family plays a very important role in stabilizing the ecosystem by killing pests and carriers of infections.
Spider-wolves do not weave Putin's usual for other arachnids. They have their own original hunting tricks. They prefer an ambush technique, waiting for their prey in a secluded place and throwing a sharp jump on it. But the most original in their hunting tactics is that at the same time they insure themselves by tying the end of a thin, but extremely durable and springy web to their starting point.
Wolf spiders are nocturnal predators, but even in the daytime they try not to miss the opportunity to attack a careless prey, whether it be a bug, a fly or a larva, accidentally found near their shelter.
This method of hunting, more characteristic of mammalian predators than insects, requires not only the presence of strong limbs, quick reaction, quickness, but also excellent vision. All these wolf spiders are fully endowed. The visual system of these arthropods has a very peculiar structure. They are endowed with three rows of visual organs. The lower one consists of four small eyes, the middle row consists of two large eyes, two more eyes are located on the sides and in the middle of the head. In addition, their sense of smell is well developed. The combination of all these qualities made the wolf spiders excellent hunters.
