Australian Wolf Spiders: The Stealthy Hunters Lurking in Your Backyard

Australian Wolf spiders are most common in suburban backyards, where they use their superb hunting skills to stalk prey. They have also been known to venture indoors to stay warm.

The Australian wolf spider gets its name from its distinct hunting skills. They use their agility and excellent eyesight to stalk their prey, much like a wolf. As Australian wolf spiders have been known to venture indoors, it is important to be familiar with their characteristics and bite, both of which we will cover in this article. We also look at spider bites in our general and childcare first aid courses and have training locations throughout every state, capital city, and major town in Australia. Head to our Locations page to enrol in a first aid course near you.

Introduction

According to Live Science, there are nearly 2,400 species of Wolf spiders distributed across the globe in a wide range of coastal and inland habitats, including shrublands, rainforests, and open woodlands. The most common Wolf spider in Australia, the Garden wolf spider (Tasmanicosa godeffroyi) prefers suburban backyards. Wolf spiders feed primarily on ground-dwelling invertebrates like crickets, ants, and other spiders, though larger specimens have also been known to feed on a selection of small vertebrates like frogs, toads, and lizards. In fact, they are known predators of the Cane toad.

Appearance

Australian wolf spiders have the following characteristics:

• Most specimens are drab in colour and have grey, brown, or black markings
• Their underside is generally light grey, cream or black with superimposed black or white markings
• They have long legs and can range in size from 1.2 to 5 centimetres
• Their body is relatively hairy

They also have three rows of eyes - two medium sized eyes in the top row, two large eyes in the middle row, and four smaller eyes in the bottom row - and so can hunt nocturnally without using webs or vibrations.

Habitat

Australian wolf spiders are widely distributed across the country. They are commonly found in suburban backyards, where they shelter in leaf litter or burrows that may or may not have a trapdoor made from pebbles, twigs, and other materials. Female Wolf spiders carry their egg sac on their abdomen until the eggs hatch. As such, they have been known to enter homes to protect their egg sacs and hatchlings from cold conditions.

Though Australian wolf spiders are known as wanderers, some build burrows or temporary retreats in vegetation. Most specimens have markings on their body, typically organised as radiating lines or scroll-like patterns.

Danger

Australian wolf spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. Wolf spiders prefer to run away from trouble and will only bite when threatened. As such, if you inadvertently dig one up while tending to your garden, allow it to scurry away to a new hiding place.

First aid

Australian wolf spider bites generally only cause mild symptoms like localised pain or itchiness. Less common and more severe symptoms can include prolonged pain and swelling at the bite site, as well as nausea, dizziness, and a rapid pulse. In any case, you should treat Wolf spider bites using the following first aid procedure:

• Reassure the casualty and keep them under constant observation.
• Apply a cold compress to the bite site for periods of up to 20 minutes to lessen the pain.
• If the casualty is a young child (under 8 years), a pregnant woman, or if they exhibit any signs of deterioration, follow the basic life support guidelines per DRSABCD and call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
• DO NOT use the Pressure Immobilisation Technique, as the venom moves slowly and this will just worsen the pain.

If the pain persists or you are worried about your symptoms, seek medical attention. Likewise, If the casualty begins exhibiting signs of anaphylaxis, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance, consult the Australian Resuscitation Council's anaphylaxis treatment guideline, follow DRSABCD and prepare to perform CPR.

Fun facts

• Some inland species of Wolf spiders have a salmon pink underside
• Once Wolf spider hatchlings are ready to disperse, they send out web-like tendrils that catch in the wind and ‘balloon’ the hatchlings to new locations
• One easy way to work out if you have a local population of Wolf spiders is to shine a torch on your lawn at night, as their eyes shine green under torchlight

Final thoughts

If you would like to learn more about providing spider bite first aid, enrol in one of our general or childcare first aid courses. We have training locations in every state, capital city, and major town throughout Australia. Head to our website to enrol at a training Location near you.