Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Arctosa cinerea

Size:  Up to 17mm

Distribution:  Found mainly in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the north of England

Months seen:  May to September

Habitat:  Among stones and gravel beside rivers and lakes/lochs.

Food:  Small invertebrates

Special features:  Grey Wolf Spiders (Arctosa cinerea) are one of the largest spiders you will encounter in the UK, and therefore unlikely to be confused with any other species.

The 'cinerea' part of the scientific name is Latin for 'grey' and refers to its blue-ish-grey colour.  The head end has a darker grey patch with two paler coloured patches just behind the eyes.  The abdomen is mostly grey with two rows of white dots running front to back.  The legs are a brownish-grey with darker annulations.

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