Trap-door spiders (Ctenizidae) dig holes in the ground with a trap-like plug, made up of soil and plants. They line their tubular holes with silk. Trap door spiders build a hinged and disguised door, and when they sense vibrations from a nearby prey, they jump out, catch it, and drag it into their lair, while (by spotting a predator) they are able to close the casing in silk and pull it, in such a way as to complicate the hypothetical attempt to open the den, made by the attacker. The variety of species burrowing underground makes exact identification difficult, but the following steps will give you a general idea of how to tell if you have encountered a trap door spider.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to recognize a trap door spider
Here are some key features:
- Physical characteristics: 1-3cm long
- Poisonous: yes (its venom is not dangerous for humans)
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He lives in:
Worldwide
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Diet:
these spiders mostly eat terrestrial insects, such as crickets, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and other spiders.
Method 1 of 3: Identify a Trap Door Spider
These spiders are black or brown. Some species have lighter colored markings, or may be covered in silky hair. Females are larger than males, but you will rarely see them, as they don't often leave their burrows.
Step 1. Look for these characteristics in males:
- Short and squat supply chains
- A double spur at about half of the front legs.
- A carapace that looks dusty (it is covered in light and golden hair which gives it a dull appearance)
- Palps that look like boxing gloves.
- Two compact rows of eyes; 4 for each row (some species have their eyes arranged in three distinct rows).
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing the Spider Habitat in Trap Door
The geographic distribution of trap-door spiders is erratic and is attributed to continental drift. Many species of these spiders can be found around the world.
Step 1. Look for them in:
- United States (Southeastern and Pacific states)
- Guatemala
- Mexico
- China
- Thailand
- Canada
- Australia
Method 3 of 3: Treating a sting
Step 1. The venom of trap door spiders is not dangerous to humans
If you get stung by any of them, you may notice mild pain and swelling. It should be noted that, although not possessing a particularly dangerous serum, the aggression of many spiders can be potentially harmful (especially based on the size of the wounds left by the spines), this is due to the fact that even in the case in which the arachnid should not inject a dose of poison (for spiders, humans are only possible aggressors, not prey, and the serum they produce exists for hunting purposes, precisely in most of the bites aimed at humans, it is not used), traces of poison or pathogens may be present inside the chelicheri, the latter could be dangerous especially if they infect the wound. For this reason it is advisable to disinfect it and keep an eye on it for the following days (if it becomes worse, consult a doctor). if your symptoms are more severe. Ideally, you should try to catch the spider that stung you so that it can be identified.
Advice
- Female trap-door spiders can live for 20 years, while males for 5. They are prey to spider wasps.
- Some species build their hatches in tree openings, but most of these spiders live underground.
Warnings
- The hatch at the entrance to the den is very difficult to see, because the spiders disguise it with plants and earth. While they're not aggressive spiders, they can attack if threatened, so it's always best to wear gloves when removing leaves from your garden.
- Funnel web spiders and mouse spiders are often mistaken for trap door spiders.
