Female wolf spider carries hundreds of babies on back in Blakeview, South Australia

Astonishing moment a female wolf spider carrying hundreds of babies clings to a kitchen window in Australia

Female wolf spider spotted carrying hundreds of babies in South Australia
The massive spider remained still as her babies scurried around her back
Shocked resident found the family perched outside their kitchen window

By Kirsten Jelinek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:39 EDT, 6 May 2021 | Updated: 00:39 EDT, 6 May 2021

Hundreds of babies have been spotted clinging to a massive wolf spider as their mother perched on an Australian window.

A resident in Blakeview, South Australia, was shocked to discover the ‘fascinating’ family of spiders resting on a wooden beam outside their kitchen window on Saturday May 1.

In footage posted online, the homeowner said they jumped at the chance to capture the female wolf spider diligently carrying her babies.

Female wolf spider spotted carrying hundreds of babies in Blakeview, South Australia (pictured)

‘I find spiders fascinating and I think this video really shows the dedication and perhaps patience these spiders have for their young,’ she said.

The female spider remained perfectly still as her babies continued to scurry across her.

The resident said they checked on the mother and her tiny creepy crawlies throughout the day.

‘By 8pm that night after the sun had gone down, she had decided to move along,’ they said.

The video has garnered fear online with many viewers shocked at the unexpected encounter.

‘The house doesn’t belong to you anymore,’ one user wrote.

‘Imagine someone with poor eyesight killing this spider with a slipper and in return causing a bigger problem,’ another said.

‘Just when you spiders couldn’t get any worse

Wolf spiders are commonly found near inland Australia and are known for their bites that cause swelling and nausea (pictured: stock image of wolf spider)

What are wolf spiders?

Description:

Wolf spiders have eight eyes in three rows (4,2,2), with the four smaller eyes in front and the four largest arranged in a square on top of the high and convex head.

Their body ranged between 1-3cm and their colours are typically have variegated patterns in brown and yellow, grey, black and white.

Habitat:

Wolf Spiders are found in habitats ranging from dry inland shrublands and woodlands to wet coastal forests and alpine meadows.

The species is found across Australia most commonly inland inside stream-side gravel beds, montane herb-fields or coastal sand-dunes.

Danger to humans:

Symptoms of a Wolf spider bite are usually minor, restricted to local pain or itchiness. Less commonly, symptoms can include swelling, prolonged pain, dizziness, rapid pulse and nausea.

Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Credit: Australian Museum