Fauna
Arachnid

Common Fox Spider

Alopecosa pulverulenta

Also known as Fox Spider, Dusty Fox Spider

Common fox spiders roam sunny grasslands, heathlands, and forest edges in search of insect prey. Females carry their silk egg sacs attached to their spinnerets, later lugging their newly hatched spiderlings on their backs. Active on warm spring and summer days, these agile hunters rely on keen sight rather than webs to ambush unsuspecting prey.

Agile HunterGround DwellerPalearctic
Common Fox Spider reference1 / 7
(c) Tone Killick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tone Killick · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySpringtails, Flies, Small beetles
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Lizards
  • Spider wasps
ThreatsHabitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development
HabitatsGrasslands, heathlands, meadows, and open woodlands
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. FamilyLycosidae
  2. SpeciesAlopecosa pulverulenta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Look for them running through low vegetation on sunny spring afternoons.
  • Handling: Allow the spider to walk across an open palm gently if pick-up is needed.
  • Photography: Use a macro lens near ground level for clear shots of their eye arrangement.
Related species
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