A friend of Landmark recently noticed a perfectly round hole less than the size of a quarter in her backyard; a web draped the entrance. Was it a web to prevent entrance or exit? What creature had created this mysterious miniature cave? Was it the work of the nearby industrious dung beetles? Was it a drought-induced phenomenon? Was it Thumbelina’s grotto with gossamer curtain? A bit of internet digging revealed it was a spider hole. Most likely, a wolf spider hole.
In 2003, when Saddam Hussein was captured, he was reportedly found hiding in a “spider hole.” For many not familiar with military parlance that may have been the first time to hear this term. So, what is a spider hole? From the aptly named “What’s a Spider Hole?” article in Slate in December 2003:
“As the news of Saddam Hussein’s capture blanketed the airwaves Sunday, we heard Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, refer to the deposed dictator’s hiding place as a ‘spider hole.’ What’s the origin of this military term?
“The phrase refers to a hole in the earth, often used by an enemy for stealthy attacks. The term gained wide acceptance in this country during the Vietnam War…but it also appears in numerous American accounts of the fighting in the Pacific during World War II. Japanese defenders in places such as Iwo Jima and the Philippines were often said to be hiding in spider holes.
“Although the origin of the term spider hole is fuzzy, it may have something to do with an arachnid commonly known as the trap-door spider. This creature makes a burrow and then builds a tight-fitting removable lid of silk and earth, which it covers with soil or gravel to disguise the entrance.”
Was this a trapdoor (or trap-door) spider’s burrow with a lid of silk? Possibly. Trapdoor spiders are native to Texas, resemble tarantulas and, as described on a Bexar County entomology blog, “build tube-like tunnels in the ground, and cap it off with (a) door.” Further, even if common, “we don’t often see them.” While a trapdoor spider was in the running, the more likely hole designer was a wolf spider, a spider frequently seen in and around this particular Texas home. The previous homeowner had created a large sand box area in the yard, the remnants of which still lingered. As described in another aptly named article, “Wolf spider hole in the lawn”:
“Spider holes like this are not rare but they’re not that common either, conditions have to be just right. The soil needs to be loose, not compacted. Sandy soil is easier for spiders to dig than soils containing a higher percentage of clay or silt. Well-drained locations that dry quickly after a rain are also preferred.”
And while wolf spiders don’t spin webs to capture their prey, they may spin webs to line their burrows and over the entrances.
Wolf spider hole. Dripping Springs, Texas.
A wolf in spider’s clothing
In the Texas Agrilife article, “Never more than 5 feet from a (wolf) spider,” the author describes an experiment in his backyard where he “poured a bucket full of soapy water on a couple of square feet (this is a common method used to flush insects hiding in turf).” His experiment revealed that “by far the most common thing to come crawling to the tips of the grass were wolf spiders, over a dozen.” And, as he notes, “it’s only a short jog from the lawn to that little crack under the house door.” Despite being among the most frequently found spiders around homes, as wildlife biologists on the receiving end of “What is this? Is it a brown recluse?” emails can attest, not everyone is familiar with wolf spiders.
Despite the frequent confusion with brown recluses, and although there are at least 238 different species of wolf spiders, the kind you’ll typically see in Texas look quite different from a brown recluse, thanks to a design of gray, brown, and black on the wolf spider backs, a coloring and pattern that serves as effective camouflage (except, perhaps, on your kitchen floor). They’re not aggressive (just don’t frighten or provoke them) and their bite is not deadly to humans (but it can be painful). Unlike their spider cousins who spin a web to capture prey, the wolf spider is a hunter, like its namesake. Their spider holes may be used as a place to rest or a place to lie in wait, ready to ambush passing insects, including ants, grasshoppers, and beetles, as well as other spiders. Wolf spiders are nocturnal hunters and, aided by the superior eyesight offered by eight eyes including two large ones, they will chase down their prey. As described in “Wolf Spiders: Bites, Babies & Other Facts,” they will “often jump on their prey, hold it between their legs and roll over on their backs, trapping their prey with their limbs before biting it.”
Spider sense and sensibilities
As learned from Common Spiders of North America, when a wolf spider wanders it lays down a silk dragline. When a male spider encounters the line of female, he may follow it to find her. A particularly interesting—even endearing—quality of the female wolf spider is the spider-spiderling bond. As described in “Wolf Spiders Are Great Mothers,” these spiders take “parenting to the next level by carrying their newly hatched young on their backs—the spider equivalent of opossums…For these free-roaming spiders, this makes sense. Unlike web-building spiders, they do not stay in one place. Being a protective parent means taking the children along for the ride.” The mother carries the young spiders until they are able to survive on their own. If you’re interested in seeing what a wolf spider looks like with many dozens of baby spiders on her back, you can watch a YouTube video by clicking here.
In response to a Washington Post article in which the author confessed to killing a wolf spider, the reader response was so passionate, the author rounded up the comments for another article which included this gem:
“Husband and I were also lucky enough to see a mama once. At first, we thought she was covered with parasites, but they got off and moved away from her. As we watched quietly, she evidently decided we weren’t a threat and signaled them to come back. The tiny young ones came back and climbed onto her back. It was enchanting!”
On another note, those charming wolf spider moms may have also killed and eaten their mates if the males were smaller. According to a study cited in “Creepy Cannibalism: Why Female Spiders Eat Mates,” among the wolf spider, large males were never eaten by their mates, but small males were consumed 80 percent of the time. This may be why “male wolf spiders typically live for one year or less, while females can live for several years.”
Even if you don’t find wolf spiders enchanting, these little predators may be doing wolf-sized work in insect control around your house. Despite its fierce name and appearance, this spider should be a welcome resident on your property.
