Up-island spider facts for kids
The up-island spider is a very large spider. It's also called the hearse-house spider. Many people think it's a type of wolf spider. This special spider lives on part of Islesboro, Maine, an island in the United States.
What Does the Up-Island Spider Look Like?
The up-island spider is usually dark brown. It has red eyes. Its body shape and markings are similar to other wolf spiders found in the United States. What makes it special is its huge size! Some people say it can be as wide as 8 inches when its legs are spread out. That's about the size of a dinner plate! Some of these spiders are even said to be big enough to make tiny footsteps you can hear in a quiet room.
How Does It Live?
Even though the up-island spider can make silk, it doesn't build webs to catch food. Instead, it hunts its prey. It pounces on other small creatures, just like a wolf spider does. It uses its silk to help it move around. Another interesting fact is that, like wolf spiders, the mother spider carries her baby spiders on her back after they hatch.
Where Does the Up-Island Spider Live?
The up-island spider only lives in a small area. This area is on the northern part of Islesboro, Maine. This part of the island is connected to the southern half by a narrow strip of land called an isthmus.
People who live on Islesboro believe that most up-island spiders live near a local church. This made some people wonder if the spiders arrived on the island a long time ago in a special carriage. The name "hearse-house spider" comes from this idea. Long ago, these spiders were often found in the buildings where hearses (carriages used for funerals) were kept. There have been a few sightings of these spiders on the southern part of the island. However, those spiders seem to be smaller and not as common as the ones found in the northern "up-island" area.
