Sexy Wolf Moves

2012.06.12

A female basking in the sunshine with another in the foreground.

Front on.

See the fangs?

Here comes an interested male.

Female with huge eggsack.

They carry their eggs and later their young everywhere. They even hunt whilst carrying all that around.

Male looking at one of the females.

Cooee!

Male from the front.

There's that little wave again.

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I love watching the Wolf Spiders in our back yard. I believe that they are Pardosa amentata, but there are many species of them and I'm no expert, so I could well be wrong.

What is so fascinating is that whilst the females are out sunbathing on stones and gravel (on the rare occasions we get any sun), the males try to get their attention by doing a little dance by waving their palps (little front arm things) about. They then rush forward towards their desired mate. A quick scuffle occurs and they are invariably chased away by the female. I say invariably, but I guess they must have some success or there wouldn't be any spiders. Perhaps the females are just camera shy.

If we ever get some more good weather, I am tempted to shoot a video of this. It's about the first time I've taken still shots and thought, moving pictures would be better.

lovely macro work! No 9 is superb!

Riyaz · 2012-06-12: 07:01

I would freak out if these were in my yard!

atszabo · 2012-06-12: 07:19

Me too!

marilynx · 2012-06-12: 07:34

What a great show Jon! Awesome macros!!!

danrav · 2012-06-12: 07:48

Great job... I'm curious as to there size?

DancingDolphin · 2012-06-12: 08:03

Haha....first Jon post I've looked at in awhile and it had to be spider close-ups....and creepy ones, too!! Amazing insect macro work as usual....even though I'm not a spider-lover I appreciate and learn from your work. And YES, I'd love to see a video of these critters!

lookagain · 2012-06-12: 08:50