The African trapdoor spider inhabits the diverse landscapes of Southern Africa. These spiders, related to baboon spiders, are known for their concealed, camouflaged burrows sealed with a lid. This trapdoor helps them hide from predators and ambush prey. Their elusive nature and unique hunting strategy make them captivating.
Physical Traits and Unique Features
African trapdoor spiders display a range of colors from glossy black to various shades of brown, possessing robust, pointed legs. Their bodies are divided into two main sections: a large cephalothorax and a thick abdomen, which is often thinly covered with hairs. A distinctive feature of these spiders, belonging to the infraorder Mygalomorphae, is their vertically oriented fangs that move up and down, similar to tarantulas, rather than side-to-side.
The trapdoor is crafted from silk, soil, and vegetation, hinged to the burrow entrance. This D-shaped lid is often camouflaged with materials like moss, sand, clay, or dry leaves, blending seamlessly with the environment. The spider’s specialized chelicerae, equipped with tooth-like modifications called rastella, assist in excavating and compacting soil during construction. While African trapdoor spiders do possess venom, their bite is generally not considered dangerous to humans, usually resulting in pain comparable to a bee sting.
Life in the Lair: Habitat and Hunting
African trapdoor spiders primarily inhabit grasslands and other environments with loose, pliable soil across Southern Africa. They are ground dwellers that construct their burrows in various locations, including dry, sandy areas, embankments, and sometimes near creeks or rivers. These burrows, up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) deep, are lined with silk to create a smooth, cylindrical tunnel.
Smaller spiders compact sediment along the burrow sides, while larger individuals wrap excavated soil in silk packets and expel them up to 27 centimeters (11 inches) away from the opening. To detect prey, the spider extends silk trip lines radiating from the burrow entrance. When vibrations from an insect or small vertebrate are detected, the spider lunges, opening the trapdoor to ambush prey with its powerful fangs and front legs. Their diet typically consists of insects like crickets, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers, but they may also capture small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, or small mice, depending on the spider’s size.
Life Cycle and Conservation
Reproduction in African trapdoor spiders involves a specific courtship, where males, often identifiable by their more slender legs and smaller abdomens, leave their burrows to locate females. Males signal to the female within her burrow before mating takes place inside. After mating, the male departs, and the female lays her eggs in a silk-lined sac within her burrow, guarding them until they hatch.
Spiderlings remain in the mother’s burrow for several months before dispersing to construct their own miniature burrows. African trapdoor spiders are known for their long lifespans, with females often living significantly longer than males, sometimes reaching 15 to 20 years or more in the same burrow. This longevity allows females to produce multiple egg sacs throughout their lives. Predators of African trapdoor spiders include birds, bandicoots, centipedes, scorpions, and parasitic wasps. While many species are not currently listed as endangered, habitat destruction from urban development, agricultural expansion, and deforestation pose threats to their populations. These spiders play a role in their ecosystems by helping to control insect populations and serving as a food source for other animals.