Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Araneae: Lycosidae, Hogna lenta.

Wolf spider: Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae, from the Greek word
“λύκος” meaning “wolf”. They are robust and agile hunters with good eyesight. They live
mostly solitary living and hunting alone. Some are opportunistic wanderer hunters,
pouncing upon prey as they find it or chasing it over short distances. Others lie in wait for
passing prey, often from or near the mouth of a burrow. Wolf spiders can be found in a
wide range of habitats both coastal and inland. These include shrub lands, woodland, wet
coastal forest, alpine meadows, and suburban gardens. Wolf Spiders are large, hairy
spiders which are usually patterned with a mixture of black, gray, and brown. In most cases,
wolf spiders benefit humans by feeding on all sorts of insects, including crop pests.  Wolf
spiders are rarely pests, but they sometimes wander into houses, where their large size
often frightens homeowners.  Wolf spiders can bite, but their bites are extremely rare and
no more dangerous or painful than bee stings.