Atlantic purseweb spider A male Atlantic purseweb spider (Sphodros atlanticus) in search of a mate. (more) purseweb spider arachnid Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/purseweb-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 Animal Diversity Web - Atypus affinis Missouri Department of Conversation - Purseweb Spiders Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Purse-web spider - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Atypidae, atypical tarantula Written and 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 1, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Also called: atypical tarantula (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are purseweb spiders known for? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Purseweb spiders are known for their webs, which are long tubes that protrude from their burrows in the shape of an old-fashioned pull-string purse or a stocking." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How do purseweb spiders capture their prey? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Purseweb spiders sense vibrations of an insect from inside their burrow. They rush up the silken tube and inject their prey with venom through the silk wall and then pull the prey through the webbing to consume it inside the burrow." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What happens during the mating process of purseweb spiders? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In late spring or during the rainy season, the male leaves his burrow to find a mate. If accepted by the female, he may live with her for several months before mating and dying. He may be consumed by the female for energy." } } ] } Top Questions What are purseweb spiders known for? Purseweb spiders are known for their webs, which are long tubes that protrude from their burrows in the shape of an old-fashioned pull-string purse or a stocking.

　　How do purseweb spiders capture their prey? Purseweb spiders sense vibrations of an insect from inside their burrow. They rush up the silken tube and inject their prey with venom through the silk wall and then pull the prey through the webbing to consume it inside the burrow.

　　What happens during the mating process of purseweb spiders? In late spring or during the rainy season, the male leaves his burrow to find a mate. If accepted by the female, he may live with her for several months before mating and dying. He may be consumed by the female for energy.

　　purseweb spider, (family Atypidae), family of about 50 species and three genera of stout-bodied burrowing spiders. They are named for their webs, which are long tubes that protrude from their burrows in the shape of an old-fashioned pull-string purse or a stocking. Purseweb spiders inhabit damp woodlands and sometimes swamps or open woods in temperate to tropical climates. The 7 species of Sphodros spiders live in the eastern half of the United States, whereas Atypus, with more than 30 species, and Calommata, with more than 15 species, are found in northern temperate Europe and Japan, in the eastern tropics of ...(100 of 841 words)

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