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Project Noah Nature School
Paradosa sp.
Brown female spider with its young clinging to the abdomen. "They have eight eyes arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle row has two very large eyes (which distinguishes them from the Pisauridae), and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. They depend on their excellent eyesight to hunt. They also possess an acute sense of touch. Wolf spiders are unique in the way that they carry their eggs. The egg sac, a round silken globe, is attached to the spinnerets at the end of the abdomen, allowing the spider to carry her unborn young with her. The abdomen must be held in a raised position to keep the egg case from dragging on the ground, however despite this handicap they are still capable of hunting. Another aspect unique to wolf spiders is their method of infant care. Immediately after the spiderlings emerge from their protective silken case, they clamber up their mother's legs and crowd onto her abdomen."
Backyard on rock near pool
Spotted on Apr 9, 2013
Submitted on Apr 10, 2013
13 Comments
Thank you for choosing this pretty mama for the Fun Fact, Karen! Thanks for the comment, Deziree!
Super spot Cindy!
Fun fact! Wolf spiders are unique among spider species in the maternal care exhibited towards their young. As soon as her spiderlings emerge from the protective silken case she has carried with her since she laid her eggs, they clamber up their mother's legs and crowd onto her abdomen. Depending on the species, they remain there for up to 50 days, vastly improving their chances for survival.
Females have even been observed to “adopt” orphaned young of the same species, even when their own broods number in the hundreds.
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Thank you Mandy!
Great spotting. Wolf spiders are such good mothers :)
Thank you Carla and Lauren! Yes I was flat on the ground for a couple of the shots :)
Great pictures! You must have been right down on the ground with her.
Love it!!! She's a cute snd good mum!!
Thank you Ava!
Look at all those babies! Amazing capture, Cindy!
Spiderlings disperse aerially
Thank you Karen! I've been trying for a year to get shots of mom. They really are great mothers :)
Wonderful capture Cindy! Wolf spiders are such great moms!