LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Spiders: Ground
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Spiders are mostly terrestrial (land dwelling), but some are aquatic and spend most of their time in or near water. Some spiders live in bushes and trees, and others live in tall grass or on low-growing plants. There are those that live under stones, logs, and bark. There are spiders that live in holes in the ground, in caves, in houses, and even on top of mountains. In fact, jumping spiders have been collected on Mt. Everest at a height of 22,000 feet (the highest elevation any animal has been collected).
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The aggressive house spider, Tegenaria agrestis, is becoming one of the most common spiders in the Northwest. This spider was first reported in the Seattle area in 1930. It is a prevalent spider in basements and in window wells of houses. It rarely climbs vertical surfaces and is usually found only on the ground or lower floors. Experts have called it the aggressive house spider because it bites with little provocation when cornered or threatened. The aggressive house spider is important medically because of its ability to cause necrotic spider bites.
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The worrisome thing about spiders is that sometimes they bite. In North America, a few, such as Black Widows (one shown at the right) and Brown Recluses, are actually dangerous. In North American backyards, Black Widows might be found beneath pieces of wood or trash lying on the ground. Brown Recluses are more often found inside homes, especially on floors behind furniture. In other words, unless your backyard is particularly trashy, you probably don't have to worry too much about any really dangerous spiders.
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Wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) and jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are active hunters for their food. Most wolf spiders live on the ground, and many dig burrows in which to hide. Their large eyes glow at night like miniature stars on the ground when a flashlight shines on them. Jumping spiders can be found on the ground or on plants. Both wolf spiders and jumping spiders jump on their prey to kill it.
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Grass spiders (figure 10), a type of funnel weaver, are common outdoors and are occasionally found indoors. They are generally brownish or grayish with light and dark stripes near the head. They have long spinnerets and are moderate-sized (3/4 inch long). Grass spiders construct a large sheet web with a funnel they use as a retreat. These webs are commonly built on the ground, around steps, window wells, foundations, and low shrubs.
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These small, drab spiders engineer dew speckled webbing that enshrouds fields and forest in the early morning. Their populations may reach many thousands per acre. They are very elusive and readily drop to the ground to escape danger (Fig. 18).
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