The trapdoor is difficult to see when it is closed because the plant and soil materials effectively camouflage it. The trapdoor is hinged on one side with silk. The spiders, which are usually nocturnal, typically wait for prey while holding on to the underside of the door with the claws on their tarsi. Prey is captured when insects, other arthropods, or small vertebrates disturb the 'trip' lines the spider lays out around its trapdoor, alerting the spider to a meal within reach. The spider detects the prey by vibrations and, when it comes close enough, leaps out of its burrow to make the capture
A hungry individual will wait halfway outside of its burrow for a meal. Male trapdoor spiders can overcome the female's aggressive reactions to their approach, but it is not known how. Females never travel far from their burrows, especially if they have an egg sac. During this time, the female will capture food and regurgitate it to feed her spiderlings
There are about 120 species of trapdoor spiders
THIS CACHE
The cache is based on the Black Widow Trapdoor Spider. It lays black eggs and hides her trapdoor very well, so be vigilant
BYOP and your own anti-venom kit..... oh.... wait: there is no antivenom for this spider..... Be careful then!!
The trapdoor is fragile. Please treat with care and replace exactly as found. Thank you