Trapdoor Spiders

Image via Wikipedia

Behavior and Habitat

The trap door spider finds a small burrow or will some tmes dig a burrow for its self. It has large teeth with a toothed edge for digging in the ground or a rotting tree. They dig the hole and form a sensory web outside the burrow, this web acts as a defense system and a recon tool for the spider that lays inside. The door is usually made from bark off a tree because of its strength and durability. If there is no bark they will construct a door out of silk and vegetation. It acts as a sheild as well as a trap, If there is a predator out side such as a tranchula wasp or something bigger like a rodent, the spider will push the door shut and use its strength of its 8 legs to hold them out. The web outside vibrates the rougher the signal the spider gets the bigger the risk so he will slam it shut without even looking outside.

On the other hand if it is a slight sigal he will know that it is his prey and will leave the hole slightly open with his front leg ready to grab it and is second pair of legs to hold the door. As the inqusitive prey sees the hole in the ground they will venture in to see whats in there, and see if it can make it as a home for itself. The hidden spider inside with their door partially opened, lets the prey venture in and then grabs it and slams the door behind it leaving no escape route for the prey. A hungry spider will wait half way out of its hole ready to pounce at its prey as the web gets disturbed.

Image via Wikipedia

The Trapdoor spider is found all around the globe in Asia, Australia, South Africa, South America States and Latin America and parts of Europe. They vary in colour depending on the location and sub species. The Trapdoor spider is a master of disguise they will build their doors out of the same vegetation that litters around its surroundings. They can blend it in as the dirt on the ground too, they know exactly how to hide and their prey doesnt stand a chance if it gets too close. There are 120 species of Trapdoor Spiders known worldwide.

Structure of the Trapdoor Spider

Ulike other spiders they have a barbed thooth for digging and holding its prey they have an extra strong exoskeleton that acts as a reinforced door to prevent the predator fron entering its burrow. They also have great strength to push against the door and an extra pair of little legs in the front that also have barbed teeth for feeding its prey into its mouth. They also use thes legs in the construction of their doors.

Image via Wikipedia

Their Diet

The Trapdoor Spider eats insects, other spiders or small vertebrates such as small lizards and small birds that venture too close. Their predators are larger birds and lizards but also the spider wasps. Spider wasps will challenge the spiders strength and abilities both on land and in its burrow. The spider wasp is just as big if not bigger that the spider, with extra stong front legs. A spider in attack position will stand up showing its teeth with its legs raised to warn off the wasp, the wasp has long legs that keep its body away from the spiders fangs then they whip their stinger underneth the conflict and peirce the spiders body. The wasp can also lay its eggs using this method and when the young wasps hatch they will eat the spider from the inside.

Image via flickr