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The name Trapdoor spider covers several families and many different species. Trapdoor spiders include the Funnel-web, Mouse, Whistling, and Curtain-web spiders; they are distinguished by the stocky body, long leg-like palps, and two knee-like lobes to which the fangs join (chelicerae) in front. Most live in burrows with or without trapdoors in the ground, but some live in trees. Trapdoor spiders have powerful chelicerae and four pale patches (the book-lungs) under the abdomen. The correct identification of Trapdoor spiders is often quite complicated. Trapdoor spiders can be distinguished from the more dangerous Funnel web spider by its brown or mottled markings. When in danger, a Trapdoor spider will freeze or flee whereas a Funnel web will rear back aggressively. Trapdoor spiders construct burrows lined by their silk and closed by a hinged door of silk, moss, and soil. There they lie in wait for passing prey, usually an insect; when the prey touches silken threads radiating out on the ground near the door, the spiders quickly open the door and seize it. Closely related to Tarantulas, Trapdoor Spiders make up the family Ctenizidae. They are generally small, are harmless to humans, and are found in many warm climates. They also use their burrows for protection and as nest sites, the female spinning her egg sac for about 300 eggs in the burrow.
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Other Trapdoor Spiders

Ravine Trapdoor Spiders

RAVINE TRAPDOOR SPIDERS

Ravine Trapdoor Spider is the common name of a rare, oddly shaped North American spider, Cyclocosmia truncata, belonging to the trapdoor spider family Ctenizidae. The Ravine Trapdoor Spider is a burrowing spider, inhabiting sloping riverbanks and ravines in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. The abdomen of spiders in this genus is abruptly truncated and ends in a hardened disc which is strengthened by a system of ribs and grooves. They use this to clog the entrance of their 7 to 15 cm deep vertical burrows when threatened, a phenomenon called phragmosis. Strong spines are located around the edge of the disc. The four spinnerets are found just anterior to it, with the posterior, retractable spinnerets particularly large. The disc diameter in the females is 16 mm. The individual species are separated from each other by the pattern of the abdominal disc, the number of hairs on its seam, and the shape of the spermathecae. The female reaches a body length of 1.2 inches (3 centimetres). The male grows to 0.75 inch (1.9 centimetres). This species can be incredibly difficult to find due to the superb camouflage of their burrows. Colonies of Cyclocosmia truncata tend to be focused within certain micro-habitats. They are primarily found in hilly, undisturbed woods that are far from any flood-prone bodies of water, such as rivers (They are frequently found near stream banks, however). The burrow is a vertical tube that narrows toward the bottom. Only the bottom portion of the burrow is silk lined.

Reply: This is another Ravine Trapdoor Spider. The scientific name is Cyclocosmia truncata. - glen

2 August, 2010:
found this guy in my backyard today - located in Franklin, TN. a few friends commented on my photo saying it was a trapdoor spider and one friend led me to your website. i think this is what you have labelled as a myglamorph. wanted to share these pics with you!

Another Reply: The spider with the flat abdomen that was found on August 2, 2010 is probably a Ravine Trapdoor Spider. I have found them many times in Tennessee and they are very common here. The scientific name is Cyclocosmia truncata.

Reply: This is some sort of a myglamorph like the trapdoor spider but I have never seen one with this shaped abdomen - very unusual!- glen

2 August, 2010:
hi there someone send me this email and i want to know what is it are you know abut this kind ? is that normal ? please tell me what you know abut it

20 July, 2008:
hello....recently i found this spider while i was digging in my yard...there is no information on it anywhere that i have looked....its very vicious, walks around on ten legs,,ten legs?...bites anything you put in front of it...there was no webbing no rock no tunnel no nothing...just this thing balled up in the dirt about a foot down...almost like it was hibernating or something...seemed really pissed off that i woke it up...dosent like the light...i dont know what to do....i took some pictures of it and hopefully you can tell me what it is... thank you for your time and concern... sincerly...brandon..