Cyclocosmia truncata query...

[grendle]

Whilst digging in the woods during a trail maintenance exercise, I unfortunately extracted what I now assume to be a Ravine Trapdoor Spider...I can only imagine this lass was none to pleased to be displaced in such an undiginified manner (i.e. via shovel)...However, she was unscathed physically - just a little lethargic (I would be too I suppose under the circumstances)...At first, I was blown away by her appearance, given my VERY limited knowledge of arachnids...Having lived in North Carolina (Raleigh) most of my life, and spending a lot of time outdoors, I couldn't believe I'd never run across such a specimen...Seen some Star Jones (pre-diet) sized female wolf spiders with larvae in tow in the NC mountains, but never such a primitive looking spider...And she is a beaut - glossy black cephlathorax and legs, plus VERY functional chelicerae (which she prominantly displayed when I herded on to my shovel; and wow - they were curved inward just like a 'T')...Soft, grayish abadomen...Easily discernable eyes...Just a gorgeous arachnid - and quite large too...So I carefully transported her back to me car and took her by the NC Museum of Natural HIstory...The staff there were understandbly excited to see her, and actually took awhile to make a positive ID...At the time, I didn't think Traps lived in the Southeast, and were mainly a western US/arid environment denizen...Finally, a biologist informed me that it was a ravine trap, and though not common - are obviously around...We just rarely see them given their nocturnal nature and where they live (i.e. in burrows)...

So now for my question - anyone know how these guys do in captivity...I left the spider with the museum staff, but told them I'd like to have her back and release her if they don't do well in cages...They of course told me they'd check on that and let me know. Anyway, I wanted to check for myself...Hate to see that lovely gal in bad place...Thanks in advance...

 

[WithCerberus]

My friend Dr. Beatty has kept several in captivity and they did quite well. He did note that they were even more shy than our other native trapdoors. If you decide to try keeping her in captivity cut a .5 inch or so hole in the lid of her container. This way you can drop the food in with out having to fool with the lid. If you are lucky, you will get to see her eat (which is a blast). If you disturb the container at all, like most trapdoors, they will shoot to the bottom of the burrow and not eat until much later. Anyways, C.truncata is a wonderful trapdoor, great find.

Bobby

 

[Wade]

The Arthropod Zoo at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is one of the best around. I know some of the staff there, and the spider should be in good hands.

 

[grendle]

Thanks so much for the responses...Sounds like she's going to be just fine...And btw, if you haven't been to the NC Museum of Natural History's Anthropod Zoo, you should go...I had not been to the museum in years, and that place is amazing now...So many great specimens (and maybe a new one now )