There are 105 species known to central Europe,[1] and common genera include Gnaphosa, Drassodes, Micaria, Cesonia, Zelotes and many others.

Another characteristic is an indentation in the endites (paired mouthparts anterior and lateral to the labium, or lip).

All ground spiders lack a prey-capture web and generally run prey down on the surface.

[2] Ground spiders hunt by active foraging, chasing down and subduing individual prey items.

They are adapted to hunting large and potentially dangerous prey, including other spiders, which they subdue by using their silk.