Master Naturalists Appreciate This Mother

By Linda Burgess

It was a peaceful Sunday morning and I’m watering my plants to beat the summer heat when something unusual caught my eye.  I wasn’t sure what it was from a distance….just a brown mass on some weeds. But on careful inspection, I got a couple of close up pictures and discovered it was a Rabid Wolf Spider, with her newly hatched babies covering her back! 

Contrary to the name, the Rabid Wolf Spider does not have rabies and it is not dangerous to humans …..  as Eric Neubauer, our member and Wolf Spider expert, has already educated our Chapter.  It is famous for exceptional maternal care.  The photos I captured show hundreds of newly hatched babies (spiderlings) that the mother is carrying and protecting. They ride there for a few weeks until they are ready to live on their on.

I sent my picture to a few friends. One said, “OMGOODNESS!  Do not send that picture to people who don’t like spiders.  That’s like a nightmare!”  But you, my Master Naturalist friends, are not terrified and I’m sure you’ll find this observance quite interesting.

So enjoy!