Trapdoor Spider
Scientific Name: Ctenizidae (family name, variety of genera)
Order & Family: Order: Araneae; Family: Ctenizidae (or similar Mygalomorph families)
Size: Typically 1 to 3 cm (about 0.4 to 1.2 inches) in body length.
Natural Habitat
Found in lawns, gardens, and woodlands. They live in underground burrows lined with silk, often topped with a hinged "door" made of soil and vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous. They eat insects and other arthropods, such as crickets, beetles, and occasionally smaller spiders.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and solitary hunters. They wait behind their trapdoor for prey to pass by, then lunge out to grab it. Males are most frequently seen above ground when searching for mates.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans. While they can bite if provoked, their venom is not considered medically significant for people. They benefit the ecosystem by controlling insect populations.
Identified on: 1/31/2026