Identify garden wolf spiders in Australia by ground-running behaviour, southern range, mottled brown body, Union Jack-style markings and no-web hunting clues. Compare photos, danger level, first aid notes, web clues and what to check next before choosing a likely match.

Bitten or unwell? Call 000. Poisons advice: 13 11 26.

Photo credits

R1SloMo CC BY-SA 4.0 · CSIRO CC BY 3.0

Tasmanicosa godeffroyi

Garden Wolf Spider Identification in Australia

Common ground-running wolf spider from southern Australian gardens, lawns and bush edges, sometimes recognised by a Union Jack-style abdominal pattern.

Painful but usually not life-threateningReviewed and updated 2026-04-29

Use the spider identifier Check dangerous spiders

Size20c to 50c body

Colours / marksBrown, Grey, Black or very dark, Patterned

Web clueNo capture web

Usually foundLawns, garden beds, paths, open ground, bushland edges, dry grass, leaf litter and occasional indoor floors across southern and eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT.

First aid / what to do now

Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
Wash the bite area with soap and water.
Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.

This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.

How to identify the Garden wolf spider

Fast ground-running wolf spider rather than a web sitter
Mottled brown, grey and black body with a pale central abdominal pattern
Often seen on lawns, paths, floors, garden beds or open ground
Females may carry a round egg sac behind them or spiderlings on the abdomen

Danger level

Painful but usually not life-threatening

What to check next

Check whether it was running on the ground with no capture web, especially in southern Australia. Compare with generic wolf spiders, huntsman spiders and trapdoor spiders if the body shape or habitat is unclear.

When to seek medical help

Bites can be painful but are not usually considered life-threatening. Seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.

Where the Garden wolf spider is usually seen in Australia

Lawns, garden beds, paths, open ground, bushland edges, dry grass, leaf litter and occasional indoor floors across southern and eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT.

How it differs from lookalikes

These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.

Wolf spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether it was running on the ground with no capture web, especially in southern Australia. Compare with generic wolf spiders, huntsman spiders and trapdoor spiders if the body shape or habitat is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check whether it was running on the ground rather than waiting in a web.
Clever fishing spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether it was running on the ground with no capture web, especially in southern Australia. Compare with generic wolf spiders, huntsman spiders and trapdoor spiders if the body shape or habitat is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check the setting first: a long-legged spider on water, reeds or creekside plants is a stronger clue than colour alone. Compare with the broader fishing spider page, nursery web spiders, wolf spiders and huntsman spiders if it was away from water.
Giant bark jumping spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar colour, similar place. For this spider, check: Check whether it was running on the ground with no capture web, especially in southern Australia. Compare with generic wolf spiders, huntsman spiders and trapdoor spiders if the body shape or habitat is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for the jumping-spider stance, short stalking movements and bark or wall setting. Compare with generic jumping spiders, peacock spiders and tiny wall spiders if the photo is unclear.

Common comparisons

People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.

Garden wolf spider vs Wolf spidersame region, similar size Garden wolf spider vs Clever fishing spidersame region, similar size Garden wolf spider vs Giant bark jumping spidersame region, similar colour Garden wolf spider vs White-banded house jumping spidersame region, similar colour

Compare this spider by state

Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.

NSWNew South Wales QLDQueensland VICVictoria TASTasmania WAWestern Australia SASouth Australia ACTAustralian Capital Territory

Next useful checks

Still trying to identify this spider?

Use these quick paths if the Garden wolf spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.

Use the spider identifier for a possible Garden wolf spider Identify Garden wolf spider by picture clues Garden wolf spider bite first aid and warning signs Compare Australian spider photos Identify Garden wolf spider in NSW Identify Garden wolf spider in QLD Identify Garden wolf spider in VIC

Reference notes

How this guide stays cautious

Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.

Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.

Common questions

Garden wolf spider FAQ

Is the Garden wolf spider dangerous?

Danger level: Painful but usually not life-threatening. Bites can be painful but are not usually considered life-threatening. Seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.

How do I identify the Garden wolf spider?

Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Fast ground-running wolf spider rather than a web sitter; Mottled brown, grey and black body with a pale central abdominal pattern; Often seen on lawns, paths, floors, garden beds or open ground; Females may carry a round egg sac behind them or spiderlings on the abdomen.

What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Garden wolf spider?

Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.

Where is the Garden wolf spider usually found?

What spiders look similar to the Garden wolf spider?

Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.

Can I identify the Garden wolf spider by photo?

A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Garden wolf spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.