The SC state spider is large and can be hostile. Here’s what to know

Did you know that South Carolina has a state spider?

Hint: this spider is huge.

Seeing this spider in person might be quite a shock.

The Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis) is the Palmetto State’s selected spider species representative and is the largest species of wolf spider in North America. It is also one of the largest species of wolf spiders in the world.

This spider was designated as the official state spider by Act Number 389 of 2000.

What does this spider look like?

The adult male can attain nearly an inch in body length not including legs, while the female can be an inch or more just in body length alone, according to South Carolina Encyclopedia.

These spiders are large and hairy, not to mention fast.

The Carolina wolf spiders’ mottled brown and black bodies easily camouflage themselves on forest floors, however, in more coastal climates, these spiders are easier to spot on the sandy ground of coastal shorelines.

This spider has eight legs and eight eyes, with the fourth pair of legs being longer than the other three. The smallest of this spider’s eyes are seen at the lower part of the face, while larger eyes are located atop them, details Orkin, a pest control service.

“The head is slightly elevated by the eyes. The cephalothorax has a tan line down the center of it. The sides of the cephalothorax are dark brown or black with a lighter brown border on both edges. The abdomen is shaped like an almond. The top of the abdomen has a dark almond-shaped mark near the waist and a chevron pattern toward the rear. Females are generally darker and larger than males,” according to InsectIdentification.

Wolf spider facts to know

• It is possible to spot a Carolina wolf spider during the day. However, this spider species is predominantly nocturnal, meaning most sightings occur at night as that is when they are most active.

• These spiders can live in practically any habitat and are often known for wandering indoors looking for something to eat.

After mating, a female Carolina wolf spider will dig a hole in the ground that can be almost 8 inches deep. She then lines the hole with spider silk and covers the opening with plant debris and various fauna. This location is where she lays her eggs and wraps them in a silken sac. The female spider then carries this egg sac on her back wherever she goes until the spiderlings hatch. It is not unusual to see wolf spider mothers carry all of her small spiderlings on her abdomen, according to InsectIdentification. “When the egg yolk on which the young live is depleted, they begin eyeing each other as prey, then disperse to live on their own,” says South Carolina Encyclopedia.

• Similar to tarantulas, the Carolina wolf spider will dig an underground burrow for their habitat rather than spin a web like most spiders.

• Unlike most spiders that catch their prey in webs, Carolina wolf spiders are known ground hunters. They will actively hunt their prey, generally insects or other small critters, prove hostile in their attack, displaying a fearsome, venomous bite which paralyzes its prey and then consumes their meal. Their hunt is made much easier by their exceptional eyesight.

Are Carolina wolf spiders dangerous?

Known for their larger-than-average size, hostility, aggression and quick attacks, it can be easy to be scared if you come across the Carolina wolf spider.

Do they pose a threat to humans?

The answer is complicated.

“Like most animals, wolf spiders are known to attack when threatened, but they prefer to run and hide. However, despite its fast movements and frightening appearance, the wolf spider’s bite causes only mild effects, including swelling, itching and localized pain (while that of the brown recluse has the capability to cause tissue damage). If a bite occurs, and there are medical concerns, the person should seek medical attention,” according to Orkin.

While a bite from a Carolina wolf spider is not life-threatening, it doesn’t mean it is pleasant.

The bite from one of these spiders can commonly be familiarized with that of feeling like a bee sting. The pain remains localized, but an attack from one of these spiders is sure to cause a fright in a child or adult alike.