Trapdoor spiders are difficult to spot. This burrow was found by Emily in 2024.
Here is your chance to see it opening and closing (August 2024). Dr Leanda Mason has identified this one as a shield-backed trapdoor spider (Idiosoma sigillatum) which she believes is critically endangered.
Watch the trap door open and close.
Subsequently, Dr Leanda visited with her endoscope and took us inside two burrows, Idiosoma sigillatum, and a wolf spider burrow with a visiting swift spider. She also spotted an Aname that refused to be photographed.
Look inside the home of the Trapdoor through the endoscope.
Look inside the home of a wolf spider with a visiting swift spider.
If spiders fascinate you
- read about the 43-year-old trapdoor: Mason, L. D., Wardell-Johnson, G., & Main, B. Y. (2018). The longest-lived spider: mygalomorphs dig deep, and persevere. Pacific Conservation Biology, 24(2), 203-206
- check out other “non-charismatic” creatures on the website of Dr Leanda
- read this article from Conversations.
