Wolf spiders have more than 2500 species, and all of them have different sizes. How big can a wolf spider get highly depends on the type and specie we are dealing with. I will list down all major types and their sizes here.
Following is a chart summarizing the main species of wolf spiders and their sizes. In general, the smallest specie of wolf spider grows to a max of half an inch, and the largest specie grows to a max of two inches in rare cases. The Carolina Wolf spider is the largest spider in all of them.
These measurements represent its body length, starting from the tip of its mouth to the end of the abdomen.
| Wolf Spider Specie | Female (Body Length) | Male (Body Length) |
|---|---|---|
| Desertas Wolf Spider (Hogna Ingens) | 25-40 mm 0.98-1.6 inches | 20-25 mm 0.74-0.95 inches |
| Carolina Wolf Spider | 22-35 mm 0.8-1.4 inches | 19-24 mm 0.74-0.95 inches |
| Rabid Wolf Spider | 16-22 mm 0.63-0.83 inches | 10-12 mm 0.43-0.47 inches |
| Rabidosa Punctulata | 11-17 mm 0.43-0.67 inches | 13-15 mm 0.51-0.59 inches |
| Hogna Antelucana | 12-25 mm 0.5-1 inches | 10-18 mm 04.-0.7 inches |
| Tigrosa Helluo (Tiger Wolf Spider) | 10-31 mm 0.49-1.22 inches | 11-24 mm 0.43-0.94 inches |
| Trochosa Terricola | 7-14 mm 0.27-0.55 inches | 7-9 mm 0.27-0.35 inches |
| Pardosa Milvina | 5.1-6.5 mm 0.2-0.25 inches | 4.3-5 mm 0.16-0.2 inches |
| Tasmanicosa Godeffroyi | 25-30 mm 0.98-1.1 inches | 20-25 mm 0.78-0.98 inches |
So these are the sizes of the most common types of wolf spider species. Let’s have a closer look at the sizes of these spiders.
Wolf spiders are not always large. Pardosa Milvina is an example of a mid-size spider.
Before you read further, here is a list of hand-picked books to learn more about the world of spiders and bugs.
- Field Reference with technical details
- Great Illustrations
- For Kids 5-7 Years
- Amazing realistic photos
- Scientific Details
- Spiders and other common bugs
Wolf Spider Size Comparison
Whenever you spot a wolf spider, they look pretty large, but the documented size across most literature seems inaccurate or too small.
For example, the Carolina wolf spider is the largest specie of wolf spider, but the max documented size you will find is 1.5 inches for female spiders.
The confusion comes from the type of size you are being reported. Spiders are typically measured body length-wise. However, a wolf spider can grow quite extensively, including its legs.
For example, in the image below, this Carolina Wolf Spider is around 3 inches, including its legs.
Since all species of wolf spiders are not large, I will show you a size comparison. These images are relatively sized concerning the maximum size these species can grow.
Below are a few images of a wolf spider on a hand to get an idea of its general size comparison.
Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Size
Brown recluse spiders are not that large in comparison to a wolf spiders. These spiders are quite different from wolf spiders, and size is one of the significant differences.
Brown recluse spiders have a petite body length of 0.2 to 0.4 inches. However, including its legs, they can top a length of 1-1.3 inches max.
As far as wolf spiders are concerned, they can have a body size of 0.25-1.5 inches and an overall length of 3.5-4 inches, including their legs.
Below is an image showing the relative size.
Fishing spider vs Wolf spider size
There are many species of fishing spiders, but Dolomedes tenebrosus is the most popular one. Fishing spiders are pretty similar to giant wolf spiders.
They are equally large, with similar outlook and colors. The main difference is the eye pattern.
Spiders in Genus dolomedes are known as fishing spiders. They are typically found near water bodies and hunting small amphibians and fishes.
Below is a comparison of the size between a fishing spider and a wolf spider.
A fishing spider can grow from 0.6 to 1.1 inches in body length and 1.5 to 3.5 inches in overall length, including its legs.
Similarly, a wolf spider can have a body size of 0.25-1.5 inches and an overall length of 3.5-4 inches, including its legs.
How big can a wolf spider get?
Since there are multiple species of wolf spiders, they can grow to different sizes; the largest species of a wolf spider is Desertas Wolf Spider, which can grow to a max size of 4.7 inches, including its legs.
On average, wolf spiders can grow from half an inch to two inches in body length. The average overall length can grow from one inch to 4 inches.
All species of wolf spiders don’t make burrows to hide, but the ones do are pretty large in size, ranging from half an inch to 1.5 inches in body length and 1.5 inches to 3 inches, including legs.
Now let us discuss each specie of wolf spider with its maximum size.
Missouri wolf spider size
According to the Missouri Department of conservation, a wide variety of wolf spiders are found in Missouri. Since all wolf spiders don’t have a similar size, the largest ones can grow up to 1-1.25 inches in body length. If we include its legs, the overall length can grow up to 3-3.5 inches.
Carolina wolf spider size
The Carolina wolf spider is the largest wolf spider species in the united states. Its also known as the Giant Wolf spider and can grow up to 4 inches, including its legs. The body length can grow up to 18–20 mm for males and 22–35 mm for females.
Texas wolf spider size
Texas also has a wide variety of wolf spiders, and all of them can grow to different sizes. However, Rabid Wolf spider is the most common specie found in texas.
These spiders are not the largest among wolf spiders but are still reasonably large. A female texas wolf spider can grow 16-22 mm (0.63-0.83 inches) in body length and up to 3 inches, including legs.
A male texas wolf spider can grow 10-12 mm (0.43-0.47 inches) in body length and up to 1.6-1.8 inches, including legs.
Tiger wolf spider size
Tigrosa Helluo is commonly known as the Tiger Wolf spider. These wolf spiders are pretty giant and can grow up to 3.5 inches in overall length, including their legs.
Female Tiger wolf spiders can grow 10-31 mm (0.49-1.22 inches) in length and up to 3.5 inches, including their legs.
On the other hand, male spiders are small in size and can grow 11-24 mm (0.43-0.94 inches) in body length and up to 2.8 inches, including legs.
Wolf spider Michigan size
Wolf spiders are commonly found in all parts of the United States, and Michigan is not an exception. There are many species of Wolf spiders in Michigan with an average body size of 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches and an overall length of 2.5 to 3.5 inches including legs.
Black wolf spider size
All species of wolf spiders have some kind of texture on them and none is entirely black. However, Carolina Wolf Spider may appear black in some cases due to environmental reasons or lighting. Tigrosa Wolf Spider can also appear black.
These black wolf spiders can grow big. A black Carolina wolf spider is the largest species of wolf spider in the United States and can grow up to 3.5-4 inches, including legs. However, their body length is 0.5 to 1.5 inches.
Australian Wolf spider size
There are many species of wolf spiders across the globe including in Australia. However, there is no such specie known as the Australian Wolf Spider.
The common species of wolf spiders found in Australia can grow from 20 mm to 35 mm in body length and 45 mm to 95 mm including legs.
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