South Carolina State Spider

There are state birds, state foods, state animals and, here in South Carolina, yes, there is a state spider. In 2000, the Carolina wolf spider was officially named the South Carolina state spider. Thanks to the efforts of a third grader, obviously a fan of all things creepy and crawly, in Orangeburg, SC.

The Carolina wolf spider is the largest wolf spider in North America, measuring in at approximately three quarters to one inch in size. It lives in burrows and does not use webs to catch its prey. The wolf spider hunts by ambush, attacking its prey when it gets nearby. The typical wolf spider diet consists of grasshoppers and crickets. If living near a human home, it will take advantage of the available prey, including cockroaches and other pests. If you have a Carolina wolf spider as a neighbor, you may not like the way it looks but you will certainly appreciate its expertise in cockroach elimination!

Although intimidating to look at, and possessing admirable hunting skills, the wolf spider is also part of a larger ecosystem and serves as food for wasps, owls and a variety of lizards.

Generally shy of humans, like many creatures, the Carolina wolf spider may bite if it feels threatened. The bite of the wolf spider can be quite painful but is not fatal to humans, similar to a bee sting.

Appreciate the Carolina wolf spider for its hunting prowess and the role it plays in the Lowcountry ecosystems, but like with many wild things, do your admiring from a distance.