trap-door spider

trap-door spider
any of several burrowing spiders, of the family Ctenizidae, that construct a tubular nest with a hinged lid.
[1820-30]

* * *

      any member of the spider family Ctenizidae and certain members of the families Antrodiaetidae, Actinopodidae, and Migidae (order Araneida). Trap-door spiders construct burrows in the ground; at the entrance they build a silken-hinged door. The spider feeds by quickly opening the trap door and grabbing an insect that is passing close by.

      The ctenizids, the best-known trap-door spiders, have a special row of teeth adapted for digging. The body, 2.5 cm (one inch) or more in length, is usually dull brown in colour. The legs are relatively short. Ctenizids are common in the southwestern United States and in tropical and subtropical regions.

      The tunnel of a ctenizid, sometimes 15 cm (almost 6 inches) long, may consist of a single tube or may be branched. The door, often camouflaged, usually exceeds 2.5 cm (1 inch) in width. Tunnels off the main tube may also have doors. The spiders remain in the tube except when hunting. They are timid and quickly retreat into the tube if frightened.

      Antrodiaetids occur in Japan and North America. Actinopodids are found in Argentina, Africa, and Australia. Migids occur in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • trap-door spider — noun American spider that constructs a silk lined nest with a hinged lid • Hypernyms: ↑spider • Member Holonyms: ↑Ctenizidae, ↑family Ctenizidae * * * ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun : any of various often large burrowing spiders especially of the family… …   Useful english dictionary

  • trap-door spider — trap′ door spi′der n. ivt any of several burrowing spiders, esp. of the family Ctenizidae, that build a tubular, lidded nest • Etymology: 1820–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • Torreya trap-door spider — Conservation status Data Deficient (IUCN 2.3) Scientific classification …   Wikipedia

  • trap-door spider — noun Date: 1826 any of various often large burrowing spiders (especially family Ctenizidae) that constructionct a tubular subterranean silk lined nest topped with a hinged lid …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Trap Door Spiders — The Trap Door Spiders are a literary male only eating, drinking, and arguing society in New York City, with a membership historically composed of notable science fiction personalities. The name is a reference to the exclusive habits of the… …   Wikipedia

  • The Trap Door (video game) — Infobox VG| title = The Trap Door developer = Don Priestley publisher = Piranha Games designer = engine = released = 1986 genre = Arcade adventure modes = Single player ratings = platforms = ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC media = Cassette …   Wikipedia

  • The Trap Door — This article is about the TV series. For the video game, see The Trap Door (video game). For other uses, see Trapdoor (disambiguation). The Trap Door Genre Horror Comedy Format Clay animation Created by Terry Brain …   Wikipedia

  • spider — spiderless, adj. spiderlike, adj. /spuy deuhr/, n. 1. any of numerous predaceous arachnids of the order Araneae, most of which spin webs that serve as nests and as traps for prey. 2. (loosely) any of various other arachnids resembling or… …   Universalium

  • spider — I (Roget s IV) n. 1. arachnid, spinner, harvestman, daddy longlegs. Common spiders include: tarantula, black widow, garden, diadem, grass, trapdoor, crab, water, bird, brown, hermit, wolf, jumping, burrowing, hunting, violin back, brown recluse,… …   English dictionary for students

  • Spider-Man 2 — Infobox Film name = Spider Man 2 caption = Spider Man 2 theatrical poster director = Sam Raimi producer = Avi Arad Laura Ziskin writer = Screenplay: Alvin Sargent Story: Alfred Gough Miles Millar Michael Chabon Comic Book: Stan Lee Steve Ditko… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”