Trapdoor spider

[Truffs1178]

Is the bite from an orange trapdoor spider Gordyrella sp. life threatening? Thinking of getting two for Christmas. I know not to handle them because they are aggressive but it's just I case they ever escaped, which is pretty much impossible because I keep all my inverts in breeding boxes, cricket keepers etc and they are all in one big wooden vicarious which is cheaper to warm them all.

Has anyone ever been bite by theirs? I would love to hear what it was like.

 

[DeeDub]

This has been discussed several times here. I don't plan on letting my spider bite me, and in reality they are really shy and a bite would have to be intentional (once they burrow, they don't come out, and actually if threatened will pull down tight on the actual door to thier burrow to keep it from being opened). If they are out of the burrow, they are very insecure and stressed and will strike at shadows, vibrations...basically anything.

Note, much of what you hear about the significance of the venom is heresay. Its possible that the similarity with funnel webs leads people to believe the TDS are more venomous. Many people actually think the African species are the same as the Aussies. They are not. I've never seen a credible list, but found the following by searching the forum.


This guy has the right answer IMO.
http://animals.pawnation.com/african-trapdoor-spider-care-6556.html


This one seems like B.S. and either way not smart.

Posted by lpw

03-09-2006, 02:53 PM

"Hmmm, is there any evidence (published toxicity studies, personal accounts, anything) that substantiates the claim that these spiders produce medically significant venom? I've been tagged at least twice without any ill effects. This was quite a few years ago when I was a very inquisitive lad and wanted to substantiate the rumours for myself. I felt that the best way to do this would be to actually let the spider bite me. "Bite me!" I said, and it did. With great trepidation I awaited the onset of massive systemic symptoms. Hemorrhaging, fever, loss of conciousness, damn it, I was even prepared to die. What I got was... nothing. Nada. Not even a bit of swelling.

In my experience, I would rather get bitten by one of these than a mosquito. Not to mention some of the other pesky winged creatures of northern Ontario...

Disclaimer: I am not saying that these spiders are harmless. I just haven't seen any concrete evidence to confirm that their venom is medically significant, and my personal experience seems to refute it. Mind you, I constitute a very small sampling space."

---------- Post added 12-18-2013 at 10:53 AM ----------

BTW, its Gorgyrella sp. Probably not an actual Gorgyrella. I believe the Ctenizidae is often mistaken for the Gorgyrella. Maybe its the reverse. I don't feel like looking it up right now, but there is a lot of unknowns about these spiders. I've had mine for some time and she is thriving.

Here's the thread with my enclosure pics.

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/sho...irst-post-first-spider!&p=2134298#post2134298

 

[Smokehound714]

The venom isnt strong at all.. However as they are burrowers, and dont brush their teeth, a bite can become necrotic if unwashed.

 

[catfishrod69]

I think the scariness of the thought of a trapdoor biting is the worst part. They would probably attack like a starving lion. Ive read they bite several times, and dont like to let go. Anybody who has received a new trapdoor and spent a while trying to get them off the tongs/paintbrush understands that.

 

[Smokehound714]

It depends on the individual.. some are shy and prone to defensive bites, while others are quite easy-going.. just like tarantulas, or any other spider for that matter.

Some will freeze up and refuse to eat if the slightest bump disturbs them inside their burrow, but others will go for your fingers.