Which Animal’s Eyes Are Lighting Up Iowa Yards at Night?
If you're lucky enough, you can spot dozens of these sparkling eyes on a calm summer night in the Hawkeye State.
And no, I'm not talking about a cat, raccoon, possum, or any other mammal. This animal's eyes are a little more rare to see, but when you do, it's truly a sight to behold.
The Iowan Wolf Spider
It's an arachnid that makes many cringe, mainly because it looks so creepy crawling on their walls, ceilings, and floors. But because of its very special eyes, it can light up your yard on a clear summer night.
How do you find a wolf spider at night? The first thing you'll want to do is grab a flashlight. And if it's the right time of year, you could be in for a sight to behold.
You start by looking for eyeshine, flashing your torch on the ground. When you chance upon them, they look like sparkling diamonds dotting the floor. The experience of seeing them shortly before or after the mating cycles is a sight to behold. The densely populated patches play host to a twinkling tapestry of lights, with spider eyes replicating stars.
-Round Glass Sustain Website
The wolf spider doesn't just call Iowa home. In fact, it's an animal that lives on almost every corner of the planet, except for the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
To learn more about how to hunt for the wolf spider in your own backyard, check out the YouTube video below.
Story Sources: Round Glass Sustain Website