Turret Spider facts: 'fold trapdoor spiders' | Animal Fact Files

Turret spiders and other folding trapdoor spiders don't spin fancy webs to catch insects from the air. Instead, they build hardy structures complete with silk, soil, and even some leaves. Inside their homes, folding trapdoor spiders sit and wait for a meal to pass by. When an unsuspecting arthropod passes by, the turret spider will spring forth and smash down on the unfortunate animal with a pair of pickax like fangs. These spiders may even create doors over their burrows or a closed seam that makes them almost impossible to find on their home of the forest floor.

Scientific Name: Family - Antrodiaetidae
Range: mostly North America some in Japan
Size: 1 inch (2.54cm) or shorter (not including legs)
Diet: insects and other invertebrates
Lifespan: 15+ years

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***1:08 should read: Turret and folding trap door spiders use their large fangs to help them move soil!

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Research Credits:

[jadenl]

These spider burrows are so cool!🤩 Great video and very informational!😃

[Col]

Spiders are cool. I especially like the less common ones, like these guys. I've never seen one in the wild; would love to, though.
Thanks for the video.

[penny_the_wiser]

These are some cool looking spiders. I found a big spider once. I looked it up. Heckle mesh spider. I would love to know more about them.

[peppermintparasite]

Could you do one about the Joro spider? I read somewhere they were afraid of cockroaches, and I've always wondered if that was true. 'Cause I'm afraid of cockroaches. o.o

[cabrerabros]

Can you do the African Elephant episode?

[SlapstickGenius]

Can you do the African elephant episode please? They’re infamous for their conflicts with humans. A character who is also an African elephant is Tantor, Tarzan’s friend.