Carolina Wolf Spider

Hogna carolinensis

True spiderbeginnerVenom: Mild

About

The largest wolf spider in North America — a robust, ground-dwelling night hunter (females reach ~1.4 inches) that digs deep burrows, sometimes ringed with a turret of debris. No prey web; it chases prey by speed and sharp eyesight. House it terrestrially with deep substrate to burrow, a hide, and a small water dish, at room temperature with moderate humidity. Shy of people but will bite if handled — venom is not medically significant (roughly a bee sting). A hardy, fascinating native display spider.

Taxonomy

FamilyLycosidae

GenusHogna

Native regionNorth America

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentshy ground hunter; bite ~ bee sting

Size & growth

Adult sizefemale 22-35 mm, male 18-20 mm body

Length18.00–35.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature70–82 °F

Humidity50–65%

Enclosure

Adult size12x8x8 inches (deep substrate)

Substratedeep coco/soil for burrowing; hide; water dish

Substrate depth4-6 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizecrickets, roaches

Adult cadence1-2 prey per week

Times kept: 1