NaychaBoi
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2022
- Messages
- 24
Cataxia pulleinei also known as the Spiny Trapdoor spider is a member of the Idiopidae family. They are highly prevalent in rainforest areas of SEQ and NNSW, though this genus is widespread through the rainforests of eastern Australia. They create burrows on vertical clay embankments and their trapdoor lid is thin and made out of moss. As you can see their pedipalps and front legs are covered in spines, hence their name, and greatly assist with digging into hard clay. During the day the lid is closed, which conceals the entrance effectively while also maintain a consistent temperature and humidity within their burrow. At night however, they wait with their lids open and their legs out, waiting for prey to pass by.
This species seems to have a low dispersal range, often found in large colonies. Cataxia spiderlings often will make their burrows mere centimetres away from their mother, and this results in pockets of high density populations. In fact, it seems they are able to out compete other trapdoor species such as Arbanitis, as Arbanitis found in the same area have a much smaller population.
This could be a result of a couple of things:
1. Cataxia may produce more offspring at a time.
2. Creating a lidded burrow as opposed to an open-holed one like Arbanitis is better for temperature and humidity control, and less predation.
This species is incredibly shy, slight vibrations and changes in light will cause them to retreat into their burrows and often close their lid. Once out of the safety of their burrow, however, they are one of the most defensive spiders I’ve interacted with. I’ve been successful in keeping these individually, but one project I’d like to do is to create a communal enclosure like you’d see in the wild.
This species seems to have a low dispersal range, often found in large colonies. Cataxia spiderlings often will make their burrows mere centimetres away from their mother, and this results in pockets of high density populations. In fact, it seems they are able to out compete other trapdoor species such as Arbanitis, as Arbanitis found in the same area have a much smaller population.
This could be a result of a couple of things:
1. Cataxia may produce more offspring at a time.
2. Creating a lidded burrow as opposed to an open-holed one like Arbanitis is better for temperature and humidity control, and less predation.
This species is incredibly shy, slight vibrations and changes in light will cause them to retreat into their burrows and often close their lid. Once out of the safety of their burrow, however, they are one of the most defensive spiders I’ve interacted with. I’ve been successful in keeping these individually, but one project I’d like to do is to create a communal enclosure like you’d see in the wild.
