Trapdoors

[mikeythefireman]

I've been thinking about diversifying my spider collection. I'm really liking what I'm seeing from these trapdoors, but I'm a bit overwhelmed. I hadn't realized there were quite so many or that they came from all over.

Can you guys help me consolidate this info so I can make an informed decision?

Thanks,
Mikey




Yes, I know if I used the search function I could get all this info. I figured it'd be a whole lot quicker and more effective to ask.:D

[josh_r]

start with gorgyrella sp. red, they are easy, common, and cheap.

[Moltar]

I picked up an african red trap nearly a year ago at a reptile expo. It was labeled Gorgyrella but who knows if it's really that or Stasimopus or Ctezinidae (spel?)? Not me, that's who. It doesn't eat a lot, maybe twice a month if she's really hungry.

It's pretty dramatic when she strikes, probably the most exciting 1/2 second of the month. :clap: Other than that it's just a pet jar, not even a hole. 'Tis nice however to have a few non-theraphisids in there to compliment my t's. I'd grab up some other species if i happened across it. Maybe one of those silver brush foot whatchamacallits...

[mikeythefireman]

What's the potency on trapdoors? Are any of them hazardous to life?;)

[Moltar]

Never been tagged but i've been TOLD that it was on the potent side but not life threatening. When rehousing mine i found that it was unbelievably feisty, once angered it stayed that way. A hint, they hit hard enough to flip a typical little deli cup through the air so hold it down or set a big encyclopedia on top of it while you have it cupped.

[mitchrobot]

i have 6 different species of trapdoor spiders (11 total) right now, out of all of them my favorite by far are my 3 liphistius females. their trapdoors are pretty neat looking, if you give them leaves and moss they build cool little doors with a spoke pattern of triplines coming out from it.
they are cool looking bugs, and when they grab something they tend to stay out of their burrow a little more and are more likely to come all the way out, ive seem mine go as far as 3" from their hole to grab something (thats pretty far for a trapdoor spider!). they also get pretty big compared to other trapdoor spiders.

but you cant go wrong with the reds either, they are hands down one of the most feisty little bugs ive owned.
the black traps, "metallic brown" traps, so cal traps and red legged traps IME dont seem to come out or feed as often .the browns and the red legs also have a much more intricate tunnel system, not just a straight downwards tube. all 3 of mine have entrance and exit holes and a large chamber at the bottum.

[tarantellajen]

I bought a silver trapdoor (African Spec.) in March and I really like it. I like seeing it come out of its door, it's so cute! I like my spiders with hair and most trapdoors are bald and that creeps me out unfortunatly. This trapdoor species has a thin velvetly covering of silver hairs when it is an adult. Mine is only a little over an inch after a molt. It was very fast and nervous when I had transfered it to a bigger home, but that night it burrowed down and the next morning it ate a cricket! I haven't seen it out since, so it is very much a pethole. I can't wait until it gets its adult colors, but I love the pattern on it's abdomen right now.

[mikeythefireman]

That's one of the appealing aspcects of the traps, their shiny armor plating.:D

Thanks guys, still don't know which one I'll get, but I'm getting closer.

[ragnew]

I've got a Liphistus murphyorum, and what was sold as an East African Black and Gold trapdoor (said to be Stasimopus sp). Both of them are really interesting, and I'm glad that I spent the money on each.

Though I must say, if I was wanting one that I'd be able to see from time to time, I'd go with the Liphistus sp. I see that little beastie each and everytime I throw some grub in (once weekly).

[mikeythefireman]

I gotta get a Liphistius, but I'm thinking I'll need to get a couple others to balance out the collection.:D

[Sevenrats]

I recently got a red trap door. They aren't really pet holes at all. They come out on cue, every time a cricket walks by! They are really cool.

These things are completely crazy if they are caught out of their hole. If you leave it alone in it's lair it will never hurt you.

As far as the venom goes, you would have to be an idiot to get bitten. You would have to stick your finger in the hole. Not an issue. Unless you're an idiot.

Then you would not be disappointed, I'm sure.