Wolf Spider
Meet The Wolf Spider Tigrosa annexa: The Stealthy Night Hunter
Have you ever taken a late-night walk and wondered what creatures roam while we sleep? Meet Tigrosa annexa, a nocturnal wolf spider that prefers the cover of darkness for its nighttime adventures! Unlike most spiders that build intricate webs to catch food, Tigrosa annexa is an active hunter, chasing down prey like a tiny, eight-legged predator.
This spider is small but mighty! Females grow up to 20 mm (0.8 inches), while males are even smaller. Their brown, grey, or black colouration helps them blend into their surroundings, making them excellent ambush hunters. One of their most impressive features is their large front-facing eyes, which give them excellent eyesight for spotting prey and pouncing with precision.
Tigrosa annexa moms are especially fascinating. Instead of leaving their eggs behind, they carry their egg sacs attached to their bodies. When the baby spiders hatch, they ride on their mother’s back until they’re ready to explore on their own. These tiny hunters can be found in gardens, woodlands, shrub lands, and even dark corners of houses, so if you're an explorer, keep an eye out—you might just find one on a nighttime adventure!
Despite their intimidating appearance, Tigrosa annexa plays an important role in nature. They act as natural pest controllers, eating insects that could otherwise become garden nuisances. While they do have venom, it’s mainly used to subdue their prey and is not harmful to humans. Scientists have identified five different species within the Tigrosagenus (as of May 2016), all sharing similar hunting instincts.
What makes Tigrosa annexa so unique is its hunting style. Unlike spiders that rely on sticky webs, Tigrosa annexa prefers the chase—moving swiftly and capturing its prey directly. So the next time you spot a fast-moving spider at night, you might just be looking at a Tigrosa annexa in action!