Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 7829917

Woodland Giant Wolf Spider

Tigrosa aspersa

Also known as Giant Woodland Wolf Spider, Tiger Wolf Spider

Woodland giant wolf spiders are solitary ambush hunters that roam the forest floor rather than spinning webs to capture prey. Females demonstrate remarkable maternal care by carrying silk egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and later transporting hundreds of spiderlings on their abdomen. Their exceptional eyesight and sensitivity to ground vibrations make them apex invertebrate predators in eastern leaf litter.

NocturnalPredatoryGround-Dwelling
Woodland Giant Wolf Spider reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) M. Whitson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · 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 & prey
  • Crickets
  • Beetles
  • Roaches
Predators
  • Birds
  • Small Mammals
  • Spider Wasps
ThreatsPesticide overuse, severe habitat fragmentation
HabitatsDeciduous forests, woodland leaf litter, damp meadows
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyLycosidae
  3. GenusTigrosa
  4. SpeciesTigrosa aspersa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
May bite if squeezed or cornered; observe from a short distance without handling.
Responsible observation
  • Flashlight reflection: Shine a headlamp at eye level across leaf litter at night to spot their bright green eye shine.
  • Observe maternal care: Look carefully during midsummer for large females carrying dense clumps of young on their back.
  • Allow clear exit: Give space when encountering one on a trail so it can retreat into surrounding cover naturally.
Related species
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