Scotophaeus blackwalli, Mouse Spider

Common Name: Mouse Spider

Scotophaeus blackwalli, also known as the Mouse Spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Gnaphosidae. This species is widespread throughout the UK except northern Scotland. They are commonly found around and inside houses, usually in the autumn, and also under bark and in holes in walls.

Mouse spiders are are mostly nocturnal and very fast runners. They catch their prey by stalking, and then pouncing on unsuspecting invertebrates. The adult males of these spiders reach 9mm in length, maturing in the early summer, while females reach 12mm, and can be found until autumn.

The carapace is dark brown while the abdomen is brown/grey with hairs resembling the body of a mouse, hence the common name. The legs are brown and relatively quite thick. The male has a small scutum on the dorsum of the abdomen.

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