Fun California Trapdoor Spider Facts For Kids
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The California trapdoor spider, Bothriocyrtum californicum, is one of the many species of trapdoor spiders that belong to the family Ctenizidae, Migidae, Idiopidae, and Cyrtaucheniidae. However, California trapdoor spiders are members of the family Halonoproctidae.
It is indigenous to California and lives an intriguing life. These spiders can only be seen during heavy rains as this is the only time when they choose to come out.
When do emerge, they scare the daylights out of the poor people who laid their sight on them! They aren't poisonous to humans, but their bite can cause pain and may cause an allergic reaction.
California trapdoor spiders are a common sight in California, United States. It lives on the ground and digs a burrow where it takes shelter.
The burrows of this spider can be found in low embankments, hillside slopes, lawns, gardens, and near rivers. It is a big spider that lives a distinct life as compared to other California spiders.
Only 2 in (5 cm) in length, this spider is quite aggressive. It has a thick, round body with a black and dark brown coloration on its abdomen. It might have a reddish color too.
They prey upon other spiders, baby birds, snakes, frogs, small rodents, insects, and millipedes. Keep reading to get to know more interesting facts about the California trapdoor spiders!
If you enjoyed reading our California trapdoor spider facts, you must check out our orb-weaver spider and yellow sac spider facts!
California Trapdoor Spider Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a California trapdoor spider?
California trapdoor spider is a trapdoor spider species that belongs to the family Halonoproctidae. It is a unique spider, that lives on the ground, dissimilar to other spiders that spin a web to catch prey and live.
What class of animal does a California trapdoor spider belong to?
The California trapdoor spider belongs to the genus Bothriocyrtum.
How many California trapdoor spiders are there in the world?
There is an abundant population of California trapdoor spiders in California (North America).
Where does a California trapdoor spider live?
It prefers to inhabit warm climates. Thus, it can be found in California (North America). It lives in damp soil and can be commonly found near rivers or in lawns. Burrows can also be seen on hillside slopes and low embankments.
What is a California trapdoor spider's habitat?
California trapdoor spider can be found living in mid-level and chaparral forests. Its burrows can also be found in hillside slopes where there are no plants.
The female spider is known to burrow in low embankments or hillside slopes. She builds a suitable burrow that has a trapdoor on top, which looks like a 'D' upside down and is connected with silk to catch prey and to sneak out.
The trap door is built out of soil, webbing, and vegetation. The burrow is about 8 in (20.3 cm) deep and 1.9 in (5 cm) in width.
The burrow can also be found near creeks so that the spider can capture fish easily. The burrows can also be seen in gardens and lawns because there is ample prey (like garden pests) and the soil is soft.
Who do California trapdoor spiders live with?
California trapdoor spiders live a solitary life and male spiders only meet up with females for the purpose of reproduction. These spiders can also be seen in gardens and pools of homes, where they sneak into the house eventually!
How long does a California trapdoor spider live?
The California trapdoor spider has a lifespan of 5-20 years!
How do they reproduce?
Male California trapdoor spiders search for a female to mate in the fall. After he finds a suitable female, they mate inside the burrow of the female.
The female eats the male after mating or they have dinner in the burrow. Some males manage to escape though and mate with other females. The eggs are laid by the female in her burrow and receive protection from her until they hatch.
The female lays hundreds of eggs (up to 300) at the bottom of the burrow along with a sac that is connected to the tunnel wall. When the spiderlings hatch, they reside with their mother for months until they're ready to leave the burrow.
What is their conservation status?
This species has currently not been evaluated by the IUCN. However, it is labeled Not Extinct.
California Trapdoor Spider Fun Facts
What do California trapdoor spiders look like?
The California trapdoor spider reaches only 2 in (5cm) in length. It has a thick, round body with a black and dark brown coloration on its abdomen. It might have a reddish color too.
It has a big cephalothorax that connects the eyes, fangs, and legs. The cephalothorax is black, round, and possesses a deep dimple at the center. The legs of this spider are quite thick.
We've been unable to source an image of a California trapdoor spiders and have used an image of its habitat. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a California trapdoor spiders, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.
How cute are they?
They are not at all cute. They scare the daylights out of the poor people who laid their sight on them!
How do they communicate?
Males track other females through pheromones released. Spiders can also communicate with other spiders through their webs by plucking them.
How big is a California trapdoor spider?
California trapdoor spiders can grow up to 2 in (5 cm)! Its length is double the length of the wolf spider!
How fast can a California trapdoor spider move?
This species can crawl very fast. However, their exact speed has not been evaluated yet.
How much does a California trapdoor spider weigh?
The California trapdoor spiders range between 0.06-0.2 lb (0.02-0.1 kg) in weight!
What are the male and female names of the species?
There is no specific name for males and females spiders of this species!
What would you call a baby California trapdoor spider?
The baby of the California trapdoor spider can be called a spiderling!
What do they eat?
The diet of the California trapdoor spider comprises other spiders, baby birds, snakes, frogs, small rodents, insects, and millipedes. Their burrow helps them to catch an arthropod or an insect.
They build a trap door when also when they dig and it is specially designed to catch prey. These spiders are preyed upon by scorpions, wasps, and small mammals. The wasps dig their burrows to eat them up.
Are they poisonous?
The California trapdoor spider has a creepy appearance and gives a painful bite. Is the California trapdoor spider poisonous? The answer is, no. The California trapdoor spider bite is not poisonous. However, even if not venomous, the bites of this aggressive spider cause excruciating pain and can go on for many days.
Would they make a good pet?
These trapdoor spiders are often kept as pets. However, they must be housed by people who are experienced in handling spider species as these ones are quite aggressive and very fast, too. They can give an extremely painful bite.
Did you know...
As per the Guinness World Records, this spider is considered to be the strongest spider! It can withstand a force that is 38 times its weight while it protects its trap door!
This spider is endemic to California.
Are trapdoor spiders endangered?
The population of trapdoor spiders is facing a significant decline due to disturbances in their habitat. They live in burrows and not webs, thus urbanization destroys their natural habitat.
Why is it called a trapdoor spider?
This spider digs burrows in the ground, and on top of these burrows is a 'trap door' that provides it protection from its predators. This door on top of the burrow also helps it to catch an arthropod or an insect.
The trap door is specially designed to catch prey. This is why it is known as a 'trap door' spider.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these stink bug surprising facts and yellow jacket wasp facts for kids!
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable California trapdoor spider coloring pages!
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