Can anyone I.D this spider?

[Peter_Parker]

We found this spider up in Grayling, Michigan while we were camping. I'm pretty sure it's some type of wolf spider, but of what species I don't know... I didn't think we ever got anything this large up here in MI, it's about 2.5 inches long, and eats ANYTHING we put in there with it. The kids thought it was a tarantula when they first saw it, and everyone went running for cover {D Ironically, the girls in our group who seemed to hate "creepy crawlies" the most were the ones who decided to catch it, when all the guys ran away :clap:

[Malhavoc's]

Do a search in this forum, Look for "caroline wolf spider' I believe thats the commen name I'm looking for, I cant give you a scientific name atm my brains mush, but thats what it looks like to me.

[Peter_Parker]

That's actually what I thought it was (Hogna carolinensis is it's scientific name), but I didn't think they got this far north, Grayling is practically right next to mackinac. The thing is just so darn big, it couldn't be anything else, or maybe we discovered a new species? Carolina wolf spiders tend to be a lighter beige color, and this thing is almost black with deep red chelicerae... who knows :D

[Peter_Parker]

Here's one of the monster feeding. She tends to smash up the food after she kills it and I guess figures it's a cricket milkshake! :D

[Bungholio]

Don´t know the species but this spider looks great! Have you more photos?

[Banshee05]

if the front legs has more orange, then shows on the fotos, it must be a Hogna carolinensis ,sure.

[Malhavoc's]

Wolf spiders, Are good to be true to one thing:Variations! They came anywhere from big to small, and of course then there is 'giants' individual specimens that just stand out, Atop that, mix in their adeptability, hard will, and will to survive, and a lil thing like Global shipping, So many spiders, so many places. They can and will live almost anywhere, Then you get into Isolated species and their morphs to adept and actualy transforming into new species *rabbles on* isn't there a theory out there about this ;)

[Peter_Parker]

Don´t know the species but this spider looks great! Have you more photos?

Sure do, here's some more :D

[Peter_Parker]

if the front legs has more orange, then shows on the fotos, it must be a Hogna carolinensis ,sure.

Alas the whole spider is pretty much all a brownish color. She is around the size and shape of carolina, but is slightly different in patterns and, of course, color. Also her eyes appear to be a little smaller, working on a close up of the face. her chelicerae have a distinct reddish orange appearence, and her eyes glow blue like other wolf spiders.

[Malhavoc's]

A close macro shot of eye arangment could get a good ID, however not from me-chuckle- I am not that qualified, working on it though, I hope you get a positive ID however, as it is very nice looking, any chances it may be gravid with an abdomen like that?

[Peter_Parker]

A close macro shot of eye arangment could get a good ID, however not from me-chuckle- I am not that qualified, working on it though, I hope you get a positive ID however, as it is very nice looking, any chances it may be gravid with an abdomen like that?

Maybe it is gravid...never thought of it. Oh well, I guess it's a good thing. But on the other hand.... Everyone is telling me it's "not normal", and "It's probably some mutant spider, no wolf spider in Michigan get's that big!". So if it has slings and I release them, they could eat everything!!!! :wall: What to do? lol

[syndicate]

any chances it may be gravid with an abdomen like that?
thats what popped into my head when i saw that pic.she is kinda fat haha!

[Peter_Parker]

thats what popped into my head when i saw that pic.she is kinda fat haha!

It's a possibility, but we feed her a lot though, and she NEVER turns down a meal. When first got her we put a freshly caught field cricket in with her, and as soon as we did she pounced on and started eating it, like she had never been scooped up and put in the plastic critter keeper at all! {D