This observation was made near a DART rail line in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas. The Trapdoor Spider is a big spider at nearly 2in/5cm in diameter. This one was seen making his way across a large pile of gravel.

Observation Details

CountyDallas
CityDallas
DateMay 28, 2012
Time of DayNoon
TemperatureHot (greater than 89°F/32°C)
WeatherClear
HabitatRecreation-Park
Type of BehaviorRoaming
GenderMale
MaturityAdult
ObserverChris Jackson

4 Replies to “Trapdoor Spider – Big!”

  1. We have trapdoor spiders on the sanctuary at the Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney, TX. I have a few preserved specimens. We also have an excavated burrow on exhibit. I have seen them in the spring, typically very late May and in June, once the weather is humid and warm. Movement seems to coincide with spring rain. I believe all the specimens I have collected have been males and they exhibit very aggressive behavior with each other. Several years ago, when I first spotted them, I could not key them out so I sent specimens to TAMU and Northwestern U. and was told that they are an undescribed species of trapdoor spider. I do not know if they have since been described.

    1. It seems to me that we had some rain events in late May when this spider was observed.

      Trying to get a positive ID on this spider, as is the case with many invertebrates, was difficult. Some species of spiders have not been given common names. That was the case with this type. I finally had to settle for lumping him under the more generic name of “Trapdoor Spider.”

    1. I found evidence of a trapdoor spider in Lucas, Texas. I found an abandoned quarter size trapdoor in the grass

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