Antrodieatus unicolor pics!!! finally 8)

[WithCerberus]

Antrodiaetus unicolor pics!!! finally 8)

Youll have to forgive my excitement but I just dug these guys out yesterday. The species is Antrodiaetus unicolor and the spiders in the pics are full grown. They are the most common mygalomorph that we have in Illinois and just absolutely gorgeous (at least I think so ) They are a folding trapdoor spider. Just thought I'd share...

 

[Fenris]

Wow! Nice pics. How is their temperment and venom compared to the African species? It looks like they don't mind being held.

 

[WithCerberus]

These guys are pretty docile. Even after digging them out they never even struck at me. As far as their venom.... I can't really say for sure but I am assuming that it isn't very potent. They are pretty cool little guys, they promptly disappeared in their new homes. They haven't eaten yet though. I'm camping out on thursday to get some night pics of them and another local trapdoor species (Atypoides hadros). For one of my classes I have to do a photo essay and I'm going to do it on the extraction of trapdoor spiders. I'm pretty excited....

Bobby

 

[Fenris]

Sounds pretty cool. I always liked how primitive the trap door spiders look, especially the African Red.

 

[-=}GA']['OR{=-]

Bobby,How far north in Illinois are these found?Trapdoors are awesome,I would like to collect some local sp.BTW nice pics.

Brian

 

[WithCerberus]

Asteroth,
This species is found only in the southern tip of the state. I'm not sure about the other families of trapdoors though. I mentioned in another thread that a professor from my school collected trapdoors from an island in lake superior so there are probably some in Northern illinois. There is also a purseweb species or two in N. illinois but they are really difficult to find I hear. Dr. Frederick Coyle has put out lots of really good articles on trapdoor spiders. The field museum library should have them. The library is open to the public. Also they should have an arachnologist on staff who would love to talk to you about these spiders. Next time I am home I plan to make a trip

Bobby

 

[-=}GA']['OR{=-]

Thanks for the info.I'm going to look into what sp.are local by me.I'd like to get out in the field and see what i can find.It will be like the old days when i was a kid.I drove my mom nuts with all the spiders,snakes ect.

Later Brian

 

[WithCerberus]

Good luck with your hunting. Likely it will be very frustrating work but i'm sure that even if you don't find any trapdoors you'll find other fun things. One tip, If you do find one trapdoor it is likely there will be more very close to it. They are very local.

happy hunting
Bobby