lycosids

Lycosids are a family of large, hairy spiders commonly known as wolf spiders. They are found worldwide in a variety of habitats, from forests and grasslands to deserts and urban areas. Wolf spiders are ground-dwelling hunters, and they are not known to build webs to catch prey. Instead, they actively stalk and chase their prey, which consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates.

A distinctive feature of wolf spiders is their excellent eyesight, facilitated by the arrangement of their eight eyes. They possess two large, forward-facing eyes that provide good binocular vision, along with six smaller eyes positioned around their head, offering a wide field of vision. This allows them to detect movement and track prey effectively, even in low light conditions.

Wolf spiders are generally solitary and can be quite territorial. Females carry their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and, after hatching, allow their spiderlings to ride on their backs for a period. This maternal care is a characteristic behavior of the family. While some species can deliver a painful bite, they are not considered medically significant to humans. Lycosids play an important role in controlling insect populations in their respective ecosystems.