Zoropsidae, sometimes referred to as false wolf spiders, are nocturnal hunting spiders that move quickly across the ground in search of prey. Their appearance is similar to Lycosidae, but they do not carry their eggs and have a distinct eye arrangement.
Zoropsidae – Zoropsis spiders are wandering spiders, often large. The first time I saw one, I was quite surprised. They’re big. I was facing a Zoropsis spinimana. What struck me most was how non-aggressive they were, despite their intimidating appearance!
🧬 Characteristics
- Wandering spiders, no capture web; they stalk and hunt prey using their speed and agility
- Eye arrangement: 8 eyes in a different pattern from Lycosidae
- Sturdy appearance with powerful legs; elongated body, relatively long and thin legs, and strong chelicerae for grasping prey. Their coloration is generally brown, grey, or black.
- No cribellum
- Often brown or grey, well camouflaged
📍 Distribution and Habitat
- Found in dark, humid or forest environments
- Primarily active at night
- Hide under stones, in leaf litter, or within buildings
- Present in Southern Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America
🧭 Observation
Often confused with Lycosidae, Zoropsidae are generally slower and more discreet. The Zoropsis genus, for instance, is now frequent in some Western European homes, notably Zoropsis spinimana.
🕷️ Common Genera
- Zoropsis – The best-known, with several Mediterranean species
- Takeoa, Liocranoides – Found in Asia and North America
- Zorodictyna – Madagascar, Africa
List of Zoropsidae genera (external link to Araneae)
Genus Zoropsis (Simon, 1878)
Zoropsis spinimana – Nosferatu Spider
| Order | Aranea |
|---|---|
| Family (aranea) | Zoropsidae |
| Genus | Zoropsis |
| Species | spinimana |
| Identifier | Dufour |
| Year of Identification | 1820 |
| Male size min | 10 |
| Male size max | 13 |
| Female size min | 10 |
| Female size max | 19 |
| Color | Light and dark brown |
| Cephalothorax | pattern resembling a Nosferatu mask |
| Abdomen | elongated, lobed mark |
| Legs (aranea) | banded and mottled. Multiple spines. Spiny legs! |
| Spider habitat | Home/habitat, Rocks, Forest, Garden |
| Web | does not build a capture web |
| Period start | January |
| Period end | December |
| Zone | Europe, Mediterranean basin |
| Special feature |
Zoropsis spinimana, the spiny-legged zoropsis or Nosferatu spider, is easily recognized by the Dracula-like pattern on its cephalothorax.
References:
- https://www.gbif.org/fr/species/2153287
- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoropsis_spinimana
- https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/127112-Zoropsis-spinimana
- Les Carnets Nature de Jessica