Rabid Wolf Spider

The Lycosidae wolf spider family includes the Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida). This huge spider is widespread throughout much of the eastern United States, including New Jersey. Its erratic motions, which give the impression that it is rabid, give rise to its moniker.

Males are about 13 millimeters long and adult females range in length from 16 to 21 millimeters. Some females can grow to a maximum size of 25 millimeters. Except for two dark brown stripes running down the cephalothorax and one dark stripe running down the middle of the abdomen, these spiders have a primarily yellow appearance. Like other members of their family, rabid wolf spiders are active hunters that do not use webs to catch prey. Despite their large size and imposing name, their bite poses little danger to humans.