Any Wolf Spider Experts Out There?

[pilgrim]

I found this mama when I was bringing up our recycling bins this afternoon...she tumbled out of one and seemed hurt or stunned on the pavement. I put her in a jar enclosure and she's been fun to watch. I think (hope) she and her babies will be ok.

I'm a newb to tarantulas and spiders in general, so keeping that in mind I tried to figure out what kind of wolf spider or grass spider she is. I live in S. Carolina so I'm thinking Hogna Carolinensis? If she is, she is a young/small one because it sounds like they get big

. Any experts out there? She's beautiful whatever she is.

 

[MBullock]

Schizocosa avida

 

[pilgrim]

Schizocosa avida

Oh wow those look so similar to Hogna Carolinensis, how do you tell the difference? Is it her small size?

 

[MBullock]

Oh wow those look so similar to Hogna Carolinensis, how do you tell the difference? Is it her small size?

the best way is by examining the underside markings. im very familiar with schizocosa so i can generally ID them from dorsal habitus alone. smaller size is also a good way- schizocosa- with the exception of the massive S. maxima (which reaches the same size as carolinensis), are generally no larger than 2" in legspan, and the females often have very similar abdominal markings. carapace shape is another good way to tell them apart- in schizocosa the cephalothorax appears to be flush with the caput (eye-turret), whereas in hogna, the cephalothorax bulges more behind the caput, having a disc-like shape.

 

[pilgrim]

the best way is by examining the underside markings. im very familiar with schizocosa so i can generally ID them from dorsal habitus alone. smaller size is also a good way- schizocosa- with the exception of the massive S. maxima (which reaches the same size as carolinensis), are generally no larger than 2" in legspan, and the females often have very similar abdominal markings. carapace shape is another good way to tell them apart- in schizocosa the cephalothorax appears to be flush with the caput (eye-turret), whereas in hogna, the cephalothorax bulges more behind the caput, having a disc-like shape.

Thank you!!