The attentive ARACHNID

She may appear more menacing than maternal, but the female wolf spider (Pardosa amentata) is the exception of her species. Unlike other arachnids – infamous for dubious parenting practices – the wolf spider is a truly vigilant mother. Keeping her brood safe within a silken sac attached to ‘spinnerets’ on her abdomen, she carries her clutch wherever she goes. Once hatched, spiderlings scurry up her legs and hitch a ride on her hind. After a few days, the youngsters are ready to go it alone, spinning silken ‘parachutes’ before floating away on the breeze.