About Schizocosa mccooki (Montgomery, 1904)
Schizocosa mccooki is a large wolf spider. For males, body length ranges from 9.1–15.5 mm (0.36–0.61 in), while for females, body length ranges from 9.6–22.7 mm (0.38–0.89 in). The carapace is colored gray to light brown, with a pale median band, black lateral bands, and pale submarginal bands that sometimes extend to the carapace margins. The dorsum of the abdomen usually has a clearly defined heart mark, dark transverse bars, and a series of paired white spots. The lateral abdominal areas are mottled yellow, brown, and black, with a small number of oblique black lines. The venter ranges in color from reddish-brown to dark orange, and may also have extensive black areas, especially beneath the abdomen. Males and females have similar overall appearance, except that females have darker-tipped forelegs. This species is widespread across open habitats including grasslands, chaparral, deserts, and pinyon pine forests, among other open habitat types. Some populations of S. mccooki have been observed digging burrows.
