Wolf Spiders
Black-bellied Wolf Spider (Lycosa godeffroyi, family Lycosidae)
Identification
Union jack pattern on head, black bell-shaped mark on body, entirely black below. Large eyes on top and front of head.
Often with babies on back or egg sac hanging off body.
Cannot climb glass.
Leg span up to 7cm.
Distribution
Eastern Australia in open ground, grassland.
Bite
Fatal to dogs and cats within 1 hour; no serious reactions reported from bites to humans, even to children.
Venom: Not known to be toxic to humans but in combination with digestive juices during feeding can cause tissue damage in frogs.
Notes
Found on ground.
Main prey: small insects, frogs, toads, lizards.
Similar species
Many other wolf spiders and Mottled False Wolf.
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