Brush-footed Trapdoor Spider
Structure, Appearance and Characteristics
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Crawling / Hunting Spider.
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Size ranges from 25 – 45mm (typically).
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Colour ranges from mottled brown to black.
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Stocky body.
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Long palps.
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2 knee-like lobes to which the fangs join in the front. Brushes (tufts of hair – claw tufts) on the ends of their legs.
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Claw tufts enable small spiders to climb glass and other smooth surfaces.
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Can climb vertical surfaces at a slow, deliberate pace.
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Large “Whistling Spiders” – the largest trapdoors (leg span approx 12 cm) make an audible hissing sound when disturbed. Colour ranges from pale brown to dark chocolate brown.
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This group of spiders is commonly mistaken for the Funnel Web.
Habitat
Most live in the ground in burrows with or without trap doors. Often common in suburban gardens.
Pest Status
If mishandled they may bite.