Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider

Written by Kyle Glatz
Updated: October 9, 2023
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Humans have a unique habit of naming innocent creatures after scary ones. Sometimes, the names are born of necessity, warning future generations about a beast that is worse than it looks. Other times, the fear of the name is used solely to represent a fear of the creature. When looking at the rabid wolf spider vs wolf spider comparison, it almost seems like the individual who named the spider was an arachnophobe.

Let’s set aside the fear of spiders and see how the rabid wolf spider is different from the rest of its family members.

Comparing a Rabid Wolf Spider and a Wolf Spider

Rabid Wolf SpiderWolf Spider
Size– Up to 3/4-inch body length
– Up to 2 inches in legspan
– Measures 1/4 to 1 3/8-inch total body length
– Grows 2-4 inches in legspan
Markings– Typically pale brown in color
– Has two dark stripes on the cephalothorax and one stripe on the abdomen of the same color
– Known for having dark metatarsals or ends to its legs
– Typical eye arrangement of wolf spiders
– Typical coloration of wolf spiders
– Brown-gray body, yet may be of other colors
– Light-colored body with dark bands running from front to back on the cephalothorax
–  Has a large, dark marking on its abdomen
–  Has two large eyes on the top row of eyes, two medium-sized eyes in the middle row, and four small eyes on the bottom
Species– Lycosidae family
Rabidosa genus ­
– Rabidosa rabida
– Wolf spiders are members of the Lycosidae family
– Has dozens of different genera and hundreds of species
Danger to Humans– May bite if provoked
– Bite does not cause serious harm
– Individuals with allergies may have serious, rarely-life-threatening adverse effects
– Wolf spiders may bite if provoked
– Wolf spider bites are not that dangerous to humans, often causing swelling and pain at the site
– A bite to an individual with allergies can cause complications, but it’s unlikely to seriously harm or kill in the U.S.
– Wolf spiders in Australia and South America continue to be studied for their potential harm
Name Origin– Despite name, they do not carry rabies
– They are named for their erratic, quick movements
– Named for their habit of hunting that is similar to the cursorial wolf
Range– Mostly the entire eastern coast of the United States
– Can be found as far west as Texas
– Found throughout the world

The Key Differences Between a Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider

rabid wolf spider

Texas Wolf spider, or Rabid Wolf spider. They are harmless to humans but larger specimens can give a painful bite. This one is hunting for insects in some weeds during the night hours.

©Brett Hondow/Shutterstock.com

Major differences between rabid wolf spiders and wolf spiders include their size, distribution, and coloration. Rabid wolf spiders measure about three-quarters of an inch in body length and two inches in leg span compared to larger wolf spiders that measure up to 4 inches total.

While rabid wolf spiders have pale brown colored bodies with dark brown markings, wolf spiders can range in primary body color from brown, gray, and brown to even black. Lastly, rabid wolf spiders are native to North America. They’re found along the eastern coast of the U.S. and as far west as Texas. Meanwhile, wolf spiders as a family are found throughout the world.

Size Difference Between Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider

The rabid wolf spider is an average-sized wolf spider with a total body length of 3/4 inches and a total leg span of about 2 inches. Meanwhile, other members of the wolf spider family can reach between 1 3/8 inches in body length and 2 and 4 inches in total leg span length.

Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider: Markings

Rabid wolf spiders have similar markings to other wolf spiders. They are light brown with two dark brown stripes on the cephalothorax and one large, dark brown line on their abdomen. Although other wolf spiders have very similar markings, they can be light brown, gray, or even dark brown with various colors on their body – including orange!

However, male rabid wolf spiders are unique in the genus because they have black metatarsals on their first two legs. That is something that many species of wolf spiders do not possess.

Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider: Species

Forest Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders come from the family of Lycosidae.

©Paul Reeves Photography/Shutterstock.com

Hundreds of wolf spider species exist in the world today. Wolf spiders come from the family of Lycosidae. They come from dozens of genera, including one of the genera with the largest species, Hogna. Meanwhile, the rabid wolf spider comes from the same family but stems from the dangerous-sounding Rabidosa genus. Their binomial name is Rabidosa rabida.

Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider: Danger to Humans

Neither the rabid wolf spider nor most other wolf spiders are dangerous to humans. If someone decides to pick them up and provoke them, the spider will likely respond with a bite. These bites mainly cause pain and some swelling. However, people with bite allergies can experience more severe symptoms that require medical care.

Despite their name, rabid wolf spiders do not carry rabies and are no more aggressive than the average wolf spider.

Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider: Name Origin

Although wolf spiders are more likely to ambush prey than a wolf, the name still fits. Wolf spiders got their name because they are ground hunters that stalk prey and then bring it down with their large size and bites, similar to a wolf. Meanwhile, rabid wolf spiders are named for their quick, frantic-looking movements as they seek out and kill prey. All in all, they’re not that different from other wolf spiders in that respect.

Rabid Wolf Spider vs Wolf Spider: Range

Wolf spiders are found throughout most of the world except for the coldest extremes. However, rabid wolf spiders are native to North America and can be found in the eastern half of the country.

All in all, rabid wolf spiders and wolf spiders are not that different. If you look at their size, range, and elements of their morphology, you can find some dissimilarities. Most importantly, a rabid wolf spider will not cause significant bodily harm. With all these things in mind, you’ll know how to differentiate both creatures.

Bonus: What Keeps Spiders Away

dried herbs and essential oils

Essential oil scents like lavender are repugnant to spiders.

©botamochi/iStock via Getty Images

One of a person’s worst nightmares is having spiders wind up in their home–especially the poisonous kind! The best way to avoid getting bitten by a spider is to try and prevent them from entering your house in the first place. As spiders can get into your home through holes and cracks, you can check for possible entryways with a flashlight. If the light gets through from the inside to the outside, you should fill that hole or crevice with an appropriate product.

Keeping your yard free of debris and overgrown vegetation helps cut down on areas spiders would gravitate to. Caulking doors and windows is also a good strategy to keep them out.

Spiders hate certain scents, so scented essential oils can help deter them like peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, and rose. You can add 15-20 drops of a particular oil in a water bottle mixed with water and spritz it around your house. They also hate the smell of cinnamon and vinegar, so these scents can be used similarly.

Rubbing lemon or orange peels on the baseboards along your walls, on window sills, and on other surfaces can also repel spiders, who dislike citrus smells. Furniture polish and cleaning products with lemon scent can also help.

Regular cleaning inside your home, especially in areas that are dark or less frequented, is necessary to keep spiders from setting up residence. It’s also important to keep an eye on fruit bowls, as they can attract spiders.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Brett Hondow/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Kyle Glatz is a writer at A-Z-Animals where his primary focus is on geography and mammals. Kyle has been writing for researching and writing about animals and numerous other topics for 10 years, and he holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Education from Rowan University. A resident of New Jersey, Kyle enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games.

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Sources
  1. MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, Available here: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/rabid-wolf-spider
  2. University of Kentucky Entomology, Available here: https://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/spiders/wolf/wolf.htm
  3. Animal Behaviour, Available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003347204003495