Great Fox-spider
VU

Great Fox-spider

Alopecosa fabrilis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alopecosa_fabrilis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Great Fox-spider faces severe habitat loss due to coastal development and dune stabilization projects that destroy its specialized sandy habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which can flood or erode the coastal dunes where this species creates its distinctive burrows. Human recreational activities, including off-road vehicles and trampling, further degrade the fragile dune ecosystems essential for the spider's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Great Fox-spider inhabits coastal sand dunes and sandy heathlands, where it constructs distinctive silk-lined burrows in loose, well-drained sandy soils. This species requires open, sparsely vegetated areas with specific microclimate conditions found in dynamic dune systems.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Great Fox-spider classified as Vulnerable?
Great Fox-spider is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Great Fox-spider faces severe habitat loss due to coastal development and dune stabilization projects that destroy its specialized sandy habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which can flood or erode the coastal dunes where this species creates its distinctive burrows. Human recreational activities, including off-road vehicles and trampling, further degrade the fragile dune ecosystems essential for the spider's survival.
Where does Great Fox-spider live?
Great Fox-spider occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, and Estonia (plus 16 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Great Fox-spider?
The main threats to Great Fox-spider are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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