Wolf spider filmed carrying haul of squirming babies on its back

Missouri men caught spider crawling around house on video. Video still / Youtube

Two men in Missouri have captured footage of a female wolf spider with dozens of its young squirming on its back.

Video footage of the creature crawling around a home was taken by Bobby Brown, who said he simply "picked her up and put her outside" after filming it.

Mr Brown zoomed in on the spider to show the tiny spiderlings writhing across her back.

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The spiders, which are found across Missouri, are known for carrying their spiderlings on their back until the creatures are independent enough to venture off on their own.

Before the spiderlings have hatched, the female will carry a spherical silk egg sac underneath her abdomen.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says the athletic creatures are also unique because they don't spin webs to catch their prey - they chase it down instead.

Wolf spiders typically grow to an inch long, not including their legs, with males usually being smaller than females.

The species is also known for its additional two tiny pedipalps and excellent night vision, making them fine hunters.

They are found in a variety of habitats and can sometimes enter houses, according to the Department. However, while the spiders can bite if provoked, their venom is not known to be deadly.

- Independent