Carolina Wolf Spider

Today before lunch, this spider was found just outside the garage, here at the cabin. This is a Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis). After I got my pictures I realized I should have had something in the image for scale, but in reality it was moving so very quickly I could not have managed that.

Reading about the Carolina Wolf Spider reinforces my feeling of it being a very large size since this species is the largest Wolf Spider in North America. They can have a leg span of 3 to 4 inches and a body length of 1 to 1.5 inches.

A little early for Halloween, but this spider certainly brought thoughts of that fun holiday. Other spiders have been decorating my porches for Halloween, but this one doesn’t use a web to catch its prey. They depend on their speed and their keen eyesight to track and capture their meals.

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Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

2 thoughts on “Carolina Wolf Spider”

  1. Really creepy! I hope it isn’t poisonous. It looks VERY intimidating.
    Can you tell I’m not fond of spiders? Or snakes either…………….

    1. Hi Merry! I used to think that snakes and spiders were REALLY creepy. I have fond memories of realizing that I’d be seeing snakes here at our cabin, when I found a long snake skin at the old cabin here and brought it back to Arlington and left it on the kitchen counter for 3 weeks — to condition myself and it worked. I still don’t want one dropping down from a tree onto my, unannounced, or a spider doing that but I’ve grown used to both types of creatures. Very strange/different compared to us humans but I’m quite glad to see them, so long as I’m in control of the situation!! I do have a picture of my sister’s hand with a Wolf Spider sitting on it — as if it was no big deal. I promise you — I WON’T do THAT!!!
      Thanks bunches for your information about your famous actor son! I’m really looking forward to the new season!
      So very very glad that you read my posts!!
      Sending hugs!
      Bren

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