Illustration of trapdoor spider
- trap-door spider
trapdoor spider
noun
variants
or trap-door spider
plural trapdoor spiders or trap-door spiders
: any of various often large burrowing mygalomorph spiders (especially family Ctenizidae) that construct a tubular subterranean silk-lined nest topped with a hinged lid
Trapdoor spiders dig burrows using a spiny rake mounted on their jaws, then line the burrow and the opening with silk.—
Richard and Joyce Wolkomir
Richard and Joyce WolkomirTarantulas, trap-door spiders, and some other species still use their silk mainly for shelter …—Richard Conniff
Richard Conniff
Examples of trapdoor spider in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s endangered trapdoor spiders, which live nowhere else other than the areas around L.A.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
Take the story of the longest living trapdoor spider, who survived in the Australian outback to the ripe age of 43.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
This species of trapdoor spider constructs a trapdoor to its burrow out of silk (and sometimes soil and nearby vegetation), popping out its head to snatch passing prey.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023
While tarantulas wait below with their eight eyes pointed skyward, trapdoor spiders build a webbed door and fling it open when the unsuspecting prey walks by.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Their bodies can grow to be about two inches long, which is considerable for trapdoor spiders.
—Brandon Livesay, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023
Curiosities Catch up on these other intriguing stories: — A new giant species of spider may look like nightmare fuel, but the rare golden trapdoor spider recently found in Australia needs protecting, researchers say.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Mar. 2023
Scientists in the Australian state of Queensland have discovered a new species of giant trapdoor spider.
—Brandon Livesay, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023
What to know about Euoplos dignitas The trapdoor spider lives in the open woodland habitats and builds burrows in the black soils in northeast Australia.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023
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Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
Take the story of the longest living trapdoor spider, who survived in the Australian outback to the ripe age of 43.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
This species of trapdoor spider constructs a trapdoor to its burrow out of silk (and sometimes soil and nearby vegetation), popping out its head to snatch passing prey.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023
While tarantulas wait below with their eight eyes pointed skyward, trapdoor spiders build a webbed door and fling it open when the unsuspecting prey walks by.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Their bodies can grow to be about two inches long, which is considerable for trapdoor spiders.
—Brandon Livesay, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023
Curiosities Catch up on these other intriguing stories: — A new giant species of spider may look like nightmare fuel, but the rare golden trapdoor spider recently found in Australia needs protecting, researchers say.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Mar. 2023
Scientists in the Australian state of Queensland have discovered a new species of giant trapdoor spider.
—Brandon Livesay, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023
What to know about Euoplos dignitas The trapdoor spider lives in the open woodland habitats and builds burrows in the black soils in northeast Australia.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Trapdoor spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trapdoor%20spider. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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