Trap Door Spider

Misgolas Rapax

Appearance

• Often confused with the Funnel Web spiders the brown trapdoor can be distinguished by its chocolate brown coloration, less robust body and the presence of distinct boxing glove-shaped palps in the males (these are the appendages at the front of the head between the first pair of legs).
• The body and legs are covered in tiny hairs
• The female is around 35mm in length, while the male is usually around 20mm and of a slimmer body

Lifecycle

• Male trapdoor spiders leave their burrows in search of a mate during humid weather. The male dies shortly after mating with the female
• The eggs are kept in a cocoon
• After hatching the spiderlings stay in the burrow for some time and eventually emerge to disperse and fend for themselves

Habits

• Trapdoor spiders dig a burrow in the ground that is lined with silk, though, despite their common name, this species does not construct a lid. They use these burrows to raise their young and for protection. Burrows may reach 250mm in depth and around 25mm in width. Some of the trapdoor spiders dig simple, tube-like burrows, while others excavate additional side tunnels for extra hiding places.
• Trapdoor spiders eat a variety of insects and other arthropods. The spider waits inside the burrow
• Bites are not fatal to humans, but local pain and swelling may occur