Trapdoor Spider

spiders · hunters · underground architects

Silk-hinged door. Trapdoor spiders spin a special silk door that's attached to their burrow like a real hinge, so it opens and closes smoothly when they need to ambush prey.

Underground ambush. These spiders hide inside their burrows and wait patiently with their legs touching trigger hairs on the door, then snap it open when they feel vibrations from passing insects.

Burrow builders. Different species dig burrows in soil, sand, or plants, some reinforcing the walls with silk to keep everything sturdy and neat.

Lightning-fast reflexes. When prey touches the trigger hairs, a trapdoor spider can open its door and grab dinner in just milliseconds, making it one of the speediest hunters in the spider world.

Found worldwide. Trapdoor spiders live in warm climates across the globe, from Australia to Africa to the Americas, wherever the weather stays warm enough for them to thrive.