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California Trapdoor (Bothriocyrtum californicum)

As their name suggests, these spiders of the Ctenizidae family are native to California but are found throughout the United States.

California Trapdoor

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are 1.25 inches (3.3 cm) long, while the males appear shorter, measuring 0.75 – 1 inch (1.8 – 2.6 cm).

Color: They come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, brown, and black. These spiders even have a chocolate brown cephalothorax, pale brown abdomen, and black jaws.

Other Characteristic Features:  They have a plump body with short and thick legs and a pear-shaped abdomen. The cephalothorax is large and round, with a dimple-like feature at the center. In contrast, their jaw or chelicerae has spiny projections.

California Trapdoor Spider Size

Eggs

After copulation, females lay eggs in the burrows, 7-8 inches deep. The mother takes the utmost care of her eggs, hanging them up on a silk cradle wall.

Spiderlings

After hatching, the spiderlings remain dependent on their mother for a few days, especially during the first winter. Throughout this phase, the mother feeds them. Then they leave their burrows and start building their web.

The Web

Californian trapdoor spiders do not build full-fledged webs; instead, they dig up burrows and make trap gates with their silk.

Are Californian Trapdoor Spiders Venomous

Californian trapdoor spiders aren’t venomous for humans, but their bites can lead to severe pain lasting for a few days.

California Trapdoor Spider

Quick Facts

Distribution California
Habitat Damp and moist soil
Lifespan 5-20 years
Predators Scorpions, flies, birds, and centipedes
Web-type Trap door
Diet Millipedes, insects and arthropods
California Trapdoor Spider Picture

Did You Know

  • Female Californian trapdoor spiders never go far from their burrows.
  • Due to their physical similarities, Californian trapdoor spiders often look like mini tarantulas, though they appear shinier.
  • Despite their aggressive behavior, they are common in the pet trade.
Male California Trapdoor Spider

Image Credits: Nathistoc.bio.uci.edu, Farm7.staticflickr.com, Geolounge.com, Bugguide.net

As their name suggests, these spiders of the Ctenizidae family are native to California but are found throughout the United States.

California Trapdoor

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females are 1.25 inches (3.3 cm) long, while the males appear shorter, measuring 0.75 – 1 inch (1.8 – 2.6 cm).

Color: They come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, brown, and black. These spiders even have a chocolate brown cephalothorax, pale brown abdomen, and black jaws.

Other Characteristic Features:  They have a plump body with short and thick legs and a pear-shaped abdomen. The cephalothorax is large and round, with a dimple-like feature at the center. In contrast, their jaw or chelicerae has spiny projections.

California Trapdoor Spider Size

Eggs

After copulation, females lay eggs in the burrows, 7-8 inches deep. The mother takes the utmost care of her eggs, hanging them up on a silk cradle wall.

Spiderlings

After hatching, the spiderlings remain dependent on their mother for a few days, especially during the first winter. Throughout this phase, the mother feeds them. Then they leave their burrows and start building their web.

The Web

Californian trapdoor spiders do not build full-fledged webs; instead, they dig up burrows and make trap gates with their silk.

Are Californian Trapdoor Spiders Venomous

Californian trapdoor spiders aren’t venomous for humans, but their bites can lead to severe pain lasting for a few days.

California Trapdoor Spider

Quick Facts

Distribution California
Habitat Damp and moist soil
Lifespan 5-20 years
Predators Scorpions, flies, birds, and centipedes
Web-type Trap door
Diet Millipedes, insects and arthropods
California Trapdoor Spider Picture

Did You Know

  • Female Californian trapdoor spiders never go far from their burrows.
  • Due to their physical similarities, Californian trapdoor spiders often look like mini tarantulas, though they appear shinier.
  • Despite their aggressive behavior, they are common in the pet trade.
Male California Trapdoor Spider

Image Credits: Nathistoc.bio.uci.edu, Farm7.staticflickr.com, Geolounge.com, Bugguide.net

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