Wikijunior:Bugs/Trap-door Spider

What does it look like?

A trap-door spider has a large abdomen and shiny legs and pincers. Most species of the trap-door spider have black legs and a brown abdomen. The trap-door spider is a relative of the tarantula. It can be distinguished from the tarantula by a less hairy abdomen. Trap-door spiders go from 4 in.–4.5 in. They camouflage with soil, trees, and rocks.

Where does it live?

The trap-door spider lives underground for protection. It will hide until prey passes by then surprise it by sneaking up on it.

What does it eat?

The trap door spider eats ladybugs, ants, beetles and other spiders wandering near its burrow. The trap door spider senses the movements of its possible prey. When close enough, the trap door spider opens the door of its burrow and lunges on its prey. Then upon catching it, the spider holds on to it with two of its legs and injects a quick setting paralyzing venom that stops the movements of its prey. The trap door spider then carries it down its burrow and feasts on it.

How does it defend itself?

The trap-door spider defends itself by having a burrow to defend its babies. To defend itself it has venom

What stages of metamorphosis does it go through?

• Eggs will hatch on the 7th month
• After mating