Carolina Wolf Spider
North America’s largest wolf spider patrols open ground after dark and is South Carolina’s official state spider.
Artwork inspired by Tarleton Blackwell
Unlike web-building spiders, Carolina Wolf Spiders chase insects from burrows and surface retreats. A headlamp held near eye level can reveal green-blue reflections; females later carry the egg sac and then dozens of spiderlings on the abdomen.
Size and color vary, and several wolf spiders look similar, so a photograph is rarely enough for certainty. The animal is defensive only when trapped and is valuable insect prey control around fields and gardens.
- State emblem
- South Carolina designates this widespread native as the state spider, providing the allowed cultural-primary basis.
- Eye arrangement
- large forward-facing eyes
- Night ground
- open sandy soil
Quick guide
- Recognition
- Large robust brown wolf spider with longitudinal striping and strong forward-facing eyes.
- Behavior
- Runs on the ground at night; females carry egg sacs and young.
Recognize it through habitat and behavior
- Recognition
- Large robust brown wolf spider with longitudinal striping and strong forward-facing eyes.
- Behavior
- Runs on the ground at night; females carry egg sacs and young.
- Find it
- Scan bare soil, lawns, and field edges with a low headlamp beam after dark.
- Observe responsibly
- Watch without blocking a burrow, handling the spider, or spraying broad-spectrum pesticide.
Good to know
Active on warm nights from spring through autumn; retreats underground during cold or dry periods. Watch without blocking a burrow, handling the spider, or spraying broad-spectrum pesticide.
Notice these
- large forward-facing eyes
- night ground hunter
- open sandy soil