ctenizid
spider
Also known as: Ctenizidae
Quick Summary
trap-door spider
Trap-door spider (Bothriocyrtum californicum) standing at the entrance to its burrow. These spiders spin fitted hinged doors for their silk-lined nests.
The Ctenizidae family encompasses large, burrowing spiders known as trapdoor spiders. These spiders construct silk-lined burrows with a hinged door. They are reclusive and emerge to quickly capture passing insects or arthropods. While generally timid, their bite is not considered medically significant to humans. Ctenizids are found in tropical and subtropical regions, with notable species in the southwestern United States. Modern classification has led to the establishment of several trapdoor spider families beyond Ctenizidae.12
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