Mouse Spider - Scotophaeus blackwalli
Approximately 9 to 12 mms long. The Mouse Spider gets its name from the grey coloured abdomen which is covered in tiny hairs and resembles mouse fur. 3 dorsal spines on femur III & IV.
Scotophaeus scutulatus (rare) - 2 dorsal spines (proximal and median, no distal spine) on femur III & IV.
A clear photo showing the spines on the upper surface of femur III &/or IV is required.
In southern Britain they are found in gardens and houses. In the north they are found mainly indoors.
All year, more frequently in summer and autumn.
This species does not create a web, instead it wanders about in search of prey - usually at night. It is an ambush predator that feeds on small insects.
Widespread and fairly common in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.
Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.
942 British records to Jan 2013
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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Species profile
- Species group:
- Spiders
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Araneae
- Family:
- Gnaphosidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 77
- First record:
- 12/01/1994 (Jon Daws)
- Last record:
- 07/01/2025 (Pugh, Dylan)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
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