Trap Door Spider

Trap Door Spider, Vancouver Island, BC
Trap Door Spider, Vancouver Island, BC, photo by Bud Logan

The Antrodiaetus Pacificus commonly called the Trap Door Spider or folding door spider is a very beautiful arachnid. Its length is usually around 2.5 cm but can grow to 5 cm. The spider in this photo is a male, most likely quite old, (maybe 15 yrs) and quite large, a good 4 to 5 cm in size.

The trapdoor spider has 8 eyes: 2 eyes in the center, and 3 eyes on each side of the pair in the middle. The colour of this spider can range anywhere from light brown to black. It has 8 legs and large sharp fangs.

The trapdoor spider spends most of its life underground and likes to inhabit warm areas. It lives in most of North America and is seen throughout Vancouver Island. This spider can also be found in South America, Africa, and Japan.

Trap Door Spider, Vancouver Island, BC
Trap Door Spider, Vancouver Island, BC, photo by Bud Logan

The trapdoor spider does not have a web-like most other spider species. It has a trap door with a burrow underneath it. This lair can be about 30 cm deep and 5 cm wide. Its door, camouflaged with soil, opens & closes with silk acting as the hinge. The spider is nocturnal, meaning, it hunts at night. The trapdoor spider waits for a creature to walk close by the door and set off its trip strands of silk. When the spider feels the vibrations of the creature, it attacks.

In order to reproduce, the male trapdoor spider wanders about in search of a mate. This is about the only time you will see them. Once a male trapdoor spider has found its mate, both the male and female go into the female’s burrow. On completion of mating, the male spider runs away from the female to mate with others.

Several months after mating, the female lays her eggs within the burrow. After an interval of a few more months, the eggs hatch and remain in the burrow for a short period. Once the spiderlings leave their mother, they go forth to make their own homes and fend for themselves.

Trapdoor spiders can live up to 40 years. One in Australia lived for 43 years. On Vancouver Island, they seldom live past 20 years of age.

A message from Bud

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7 thoughts on “Trap Door Spider”

  1. so anyways the trap door spider is the most dangerous spider and i happen to be on the one island that it can be found all over the place thats funny asf

    1. Although they’re classed in the tarantula genus they’re not harmful to humans and not common unless you’re a gardener…then you may find one or two a year.

    1. I have what I think to be 2 male Pacific trap door spiders currently in captivity. Email me for details

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