Spider-wolf - the swiftness of a skilful hunter

Spider-wolf is an amazing arthropod. Its anatomy and appearance, it differs little from other species of arachnids, but it has a number of unique features and hunting habits. All kinds of spiders of this extremely common family have especially individual traits. Their only common characteristic is speed. These are very fast and mobile arthropods. However, about everything in order.

The family of arachnids with the general name "spider-wolf" has more than a hundred genera, which are characterized by the speed of reaction of a born hunter, incredible quickness and a developed mobile body. To date, more than two thousand species of these insects have been discovered. Arthropods of the spider-wolf family live on all continents of our planet, with the exception of cold and little suitable for the life of Antarctica.

These insects prefer moist warm climatic conditions, the most rich in food. They are often found in forests, shrubby plants, grassy thickets, sometimes the wetland is their habitat. Spider-wolf, due to its coloring, which can range from black and gray to yellow, perfectly knows the art of disguise. Often it is simply indistinguishable in fallen leaves or under stones.

Spiders of this family are usually small in size, but their size can also vary in a very significant range: from tiny specimens of a little more than one millimeter in length to individuals larger than four centimeters. The shape of the body of spider-wolves is typical for all species of arachnids, consists of four pairs of legs and a head that performs the functions of respiration, nutrition and vision that are traditional for all living things.

These spiders live, the species of which are extremely diverse, from one year to several years. In all known species of wolf-spiders, life expectancy varies somewhat. Representatives of this family prefer a lonely lifestyle. They migrate in search of food or arrange small mink, if the area is rich in food. The basis of their diet consists of various insects, which is also traditionally for arachnids. This family of arthropods plays a very important role in stabilizing the ecosystem, destroying pests and spreaders of infections.

Spider-wolves do not weave the usual way for other arachnids. They have their own original hunting techniques. They prefer the technique of ambush, waiting for their prey in a secluded place and pounce on it with a sharp leap. But the most original in their hunting tactics is that they insure themselves by tying the end of a thin but extremely strong and springy web to the point of their start.

Spiders-wolves are night predators, but also in the daytime try not to miss the opportunity to attack a nonchalant victim, whether it be a beetle, a fly or a larva that accidentally finds themselves close to their shelter.

This method of hunting, more characteristic of mammal predators than insects, requires not only the presence of strong limbs, quick reaction, quickness, but also excellent vision. All these wolves are fully endowed. The visual system of these arthropods has a very peculiar device. They are endowed with three rows of visual organs. The lower one consists of four small eyes, the middle row is made of two large eyes, two more eyes are located on each side and in the middle of the head. In addition, they have a perfectly developed sense of smell. The totality of all these qualities has made the wolf spiders wonderful hunters.