California trapdoor spider Found only in southern California, the California trapdoor spider (Bothriocyrtum californium) lives in a silk-lined burrow topped with a thick lid made of silk and soil. (more) California trapdoor spider arachnid Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/California-trapdoor-spider Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. California trapdoor spider - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Bothriocyrtum californicum Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles... Melissa Petruzzello Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 9, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Where is the California trapdoor spider found? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The California trapdoor spider is endemic to cliffs and sunny hillsides in southern California." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How does the California trapdoor spider construct its burrow? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The spider digs its burrow in hard soil on sloping ground and lines it with silk. The thick corky door is constructed of layers of soil and silk and is affixed with a silken hinge." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How does the California trapdoor spider defend itself from spider wasps and other predators? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The spider retreats into its burrow, pulls the door shut, and clings to it with fangs and claws, bracing its legs against the walls to resist forces up to 38 times its weight." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the lifespan of a female California trapdoor spider? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Female California trapdoor spiders can live as long as 20 years." } } ] } Top Questions Where is the California trapdoor spider found? The California trapdoor spider is endemic to cliffs and sunny hillsides in southern California.

　　How does the California trapdoor spider construct its burrow? The spider digs its burrow in hard soil on sloping ground and lines it with silk. The thick corky door is constructed of layers of soil and silk and is affixed with a silken hinge.

　　How does the California trapdoor spider defend itself from spider wasps and other predators? The spider retreats into its burrow, pulls the door shut, and clings to it with fangs and claws, bracing its legs against the walls to resist forces up to 38 times its weight.

　　What is the lifespan of a female California trapdoor spider? Female California trapdoor spiders can live as long as 20 years.

　　California trapdoor spider, (Bothriocyrtum californicum), species of large, burrowing North American spider endemic to cliffs and sunny hillsides in southern California. Capable of resisting forces up to 38 times its weight while in its burrow, the California trapdoor spider has been hailed as the strongest spider on Earth, though few other spiders have been similarly tested. As is the case for most of the world’s terrestrial invertebrates, the conservation status of the California trapdoor spider has not been assessed. Taxonomy See also list of arachnids. The California trapdoor spider is plump and has relatively short thick legs. Its glossy cephalothorax ...(100 of 623 words)

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