Fauna
Arachnid

Mediterranean Spiny False Wolf Spider

Zoropsis spinimana

Also known as Nosferatu Spider, False Wolf Spider

Mediterranean spiny false wolf spiders are active nocturnal hunters that stalk prey across tree bark, rocky ground, and human structures without relying on a web. Females sport a distinctive dark mark on their cephalothorax resembling a stylized skull or vampire mask, which inspired their common nickname. Equipped with specialized dense adhesive hairs on their feet, they scale smooth indoor surfaces with remarkable ease as they seek out hidden insects.

NocturnalWandering HunterSynanthropic
Mediterranean Spiny False Wolf Spider reference1 / 7
(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlies, Moths, Crickets
Predators
  • Birds
  • Lizards
  • Parasitoid Wasps
ThreatsHuman persecution in homes
HabitatsMediterranean woodlands, scrublands, human dwellings
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyZoropsidae
  3. GenusZoropsis
  4. SpeciesZoropsis spinimana
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
Can deliver a painful defensive bite if squished or handled directly; move indoors with a container.
Why it is dangerous
Chelicerae are large enough to pierce human skin, delivering a bite comparable to a mild bee sting.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a broad greyish-brown spider with a dark skull-like marking on the head and spotted legs.
What to do
Avoid bare-hand contact and gently trap the spider under a glass jar to relocate it safely.
Responsible observation
  • Relocation: Scoop wandering spiders into a glass jar with a card to safely carry them outside.
  • Identification: Look for the characteristic dark skull-shaped mark on the top of the head region.
  • Observation: Watch for them on walls at night, where their leg pads allow them to walk easily on glass.
Related species
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