Post a picture of the spider so we can confirm that it is what you think it is.
Do not attempt to feed it until it builds a web.
If it's a funnel weaver, it will need anchor points to create webbing.
Something like a small Kritter Keeper would do, but they may use more space if you give it to them.
I'm positive it is a lycosa. What state did you catch it in? I may be able to help you identify exactly which species it is.
it was running around inside my office/ garage. here's where I keep it
Based on what I can find it may be alopecosa kochi.
I kept a T. helluo in a Kritter Keeper with eco-earth substrate. For a hide I used a toilet paper tube that I cut in half. I would use deep substrate since wolf spiders like to burrow. I think room temp would be fine. I feed mine small-medium crickets. I would avoid feeding centipedes since they could eat your spider. They really like to use their hides or burrows so try to provide either a hide or enough substrate to burrow.
The males generally have swollen pedipalps and the females are larger. I don't think they will eat worms unless you mean mealworms. Saw dust isn't the best substrate to use for any animal. I would try and get coco fiber from the pet store. I would try once a week. Sometimes they will go off of food if they are about to molt or lay an egg sack.
OK thank you very much for all your help. I'm gonna be straight up honest, I'm staff in a rehab home, so I'm limited to going to stores, and other things. I'm starting to care for this spider cause I'm bored out of my mind, kind of like a prisoner lol. The only realistic resources I have to come by are from the back yard here. So I'm trying to do my best and need as much advice as possible.
I hope all goes well for you. Keeping spiders is always fun IMO.
That is a wolf spider (Lycosidae), so that explains why it is not making a web.
You can set them up somewhat like a tarantula, with substrate and a place to hide. (Some species will dig burrows.) They are ambush hunters and will attack insects that crawl near them.
Sawdust is pretty fine and might end up lodged in the the book lungs or mouth. Additionally, if the wood has been treated with anything, the sawdust will also be contaminated. I would get some plain topsoil (the kind without fertilizers, pesticides, or other additives).
I'm not sure. Probably not, but you can try.
Mature males have palpal emboli that look like little boxing gloves. Juveniles and females look similar to each other, and it may not be possible to determine the sex without examining the underside of the abdomen under magnification.
Could be in pre-molt, too recently disturbed to eat, or just that it didn't like that prey item. Just keep offering a small meal once or twice a week and remove what is not eaten within 24 hours.
Drag lines.
What are drag lines?