Lycosa tarantula

Apulian tarantula
southern Europe
~ 3 cm bodylength

It is the namesake of all tarantulas, although it is not a tarantula. The wolf spider Lycosa tarantula occurs in the Mediterranean area (Italy, Croatia). In contrast to species like Hogna Schmitzi, it digs a tube up to 30 cm deep and spends a large part of its life there. For successful breeding one should offer a hibernation. The Lycosas on the island of Krk (Croatia), for example, can withstand temperatures around zero in winter. They are very fast, but cannot climb over smooth and clean surfaces (glass, etc.).