Burrowing-spider
Guides
Aliatypus
Aliatypus is a genus of North American folding trapdoor spiders in the family Antrodiaetidae. First described by C.P. Smith in 1908, these spiders are most closely related to Antrodiaetus, though they have convergently evolved trapdoor-building behavior similar to Ctenizidae. They are notable for building wafer-like trapdoor burrows in hot, dry habitats where their collar-door relatives cannot survive. The genus contains fourteen species as of 2026, with distributions concentrated in the western United States, particularly California. Their sedentary lifestyle and limited dispersal make them valuable subjects for biogeographic studies.
Aliatypus californicus
California folding-door spider, California folding trapdoor spider
Aliatypus californicus is a species of folding-door spider in the family Antrodiaetidae. It is found in the United States, specifically in California. The species constructs burrows with a hinged, folding trapdoor made of silk and soil debris. It is one of several species in the genus Aliatypus studied for its burrow architecture and mygalomorph spider systematics.
Aliatypus gulosus
Aliatypus gulosus is a species of folding trapdoor spider in the family Antrodiaetidae. It was described by arachnologist Frederick A. Coyle in 1975. Like other members of its genus, it constructs burrows with hinged, camouflaged trapdoors to capture prey. The species is part of a group studied by the Jason Bond laboratory at UC Davis for its systematics and natural history.
Allocosa
Allocosa is a genus of wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) comprising over 130 described species with a distribution centered in the Americas. The genus was established by Nathan Banks in 1900 and has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with African species assignments remaining uncertain and requiring re-examination. Several well-studied species, including Allocosa brasiliensis, A. alticeps, and A. senex, exhibit notable sex-role reversal in mating systems, where females actively seek male burrows and initiate courtship. These spiders are ground-dwelling burrowers, often inhabiting sandy coastal or dune environments.
Antrodiaetus lincolnianus
Lincoln's folding-door spider
Antrodiaetus lincolnianus is a species of folding-door spider in the family Antrodiaetidae, originally described as Brachybothrium lincolnianum by Worley in 1928. As a mygalomorph spider, it constructs a burrow sealed with a hinged, silken door that it uses for protection and ambush predation. The species is endemic to the United States. Like other members of the Antrodiaetus unicolor species complex, it has been subject to recent taxonomic revision using molecular methods due to cryptic morphological similarity with closely related species.
Antrodiaetus montanus
Mountain Folding-Door Spider
Antrodiaetus montanus is a mygalomorph spider in the family Antrodiaetidae, commonly known as folding-door spiders. The species constructs silk-lined burrows with hinged, trapdoor-like closures made of silk and soil. It is native to mountainous regions of the western United States. Like other antrodiaetids, it exhibits fossorial behavior and is rarely observed above ground except during dispersal events.
Antrodiaetus pacificus
Pacific Foldingdoor Spider
Antrodiaetus pacificus is a mygalomorph spider native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, ranging from San Francisco Bay to Alaska. It is the northernmost mygalomorph spider on the continent. The species was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1884 under the name Brachybothrium pacificum. It constructs burrows in soft substrates and exhibits year-round activity with peak mating season between early June and late November.
Antrodiaetus pugnax
folding-door spider
Antrodiaetus pugnax is a species of folding-door spider in the family Antrodiaetidae. It belongs to the infraorder Mygalomorphae, one of the three main lineages of spiders. The species was originally described as Brachybothrium pugnax by Chamberlin in 1917. Like other members of its genus, it constructs a burrow with a folding door, distinguishing it from trapdoor spiders that use a hinged door.
Aphonopelma
Aphonopelma is a genus of tarantulas in the family Theraphosidae, comprising the majority of North American tarantula species north of Mexico and many Central American species. The genus includes approximately 54 currently recognized species, though taxonomy remains problematic due to morphological similarity among species. Members are generally large-bodied with leg spans of 6 inches or more, and possess urticating hairs used in defense. The genus exhibits sexual dimorphism, with mature males becoming more active and wander in search of sedentary females.
Aphonopelma anax
Texas tan tarantula
Aphonopelma anax, the Texas tan tarantula, is among the largest tarantula species in the United States, with mature individuals reaching leg spans of 5–6 inches. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are larger-bodied with shorter legs and can live up to 40 years, while males have longer legs, smaller bodies, and typically survive less than two years after maturity. Males abandon their burrows during the late summer and early fall mating season to actively search for sedentary females, traveling up to 1.2 km in a single night and covering areas up to 29 hectares. The species employs behavioral thermoregulation, retreating into temporary burrows during daytime heat and emerging in the evening when thermal conditions permit sustained activity.
Aphonopelma chalcodes
Desert Blonde Tarantula, Arizona Blonde Tarantula, Western Desert Tarantula, Mexican Blonde Tarantula
Aphonopelma chalcodes is a large-bodied burrowing tarantula native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are uniformly tan with a pale, densely hairy carapace that gives the "blonde" common name, while males have black legs, copper-colored cephalothorax, and reddish abdomen. Females are sedentary, occupying deep burrows for their entire lives, whereas mature males abandon their burrows to wander in search of mates during summer monsoon season. The species is notable for its longevity, with females living 24–30 years and males 5–10 years, and for its popularity in the pet trade due to docile temperament and relatively low venom toxicity.
Aphonopelma hentzi
Texas Brown Tarantula, Oklahoma Brown Tarantula, Missouri Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi is one of the most common tarantula species in the southern United States, with a broad distribution across the south-central region. Adults typically exceed a four-inch leg span and weigh more than 3 ounces. The body is uniformly dark brown, with coloration becoming more distinct following molting. This species is notable for its male wandering behavior during late summer and fall, when mature males travel substantial distances searching for females. The species serves as host to parasitoid spider wasps, including Pepsis mildei.
Aphonopelma icenoglei
Aphonopelma icenoglei is a species of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae, described in 2016 from California. It is one of 14 new Aphonopelma species identified during a comprehensive taxonomic revision that reduced the previously recognized 55 U.S. species to 29 well-defined species. The species is named in honor of William Icenogle, who contributed specimens and locality data to the study. Like other members of the genus, it is a ground-dwelling burrower native to the southwestern United States.
Aphonopelma joshua
Aphonopelma joshua is a species of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae, described by Prentice in 1997. It is native to California, United States. Like other members of the genus Aphonopelma, this species is a large-bodied, ground-dwelling spider that constructs burrows. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with a 2016 study reducing the number of recognized U.S. species from 55 to 29 based on integrative morphological, molecular, and ecological data.
Aphonopelma paloma
Paloma dwarf, Paloma Dwarf Tarantula
Aphonopelma paloma, commonly known as the Paloma dwarf, is the smallest known species of tarantula, with a leg span of approximately 5 cm. This diminutive theraphosid is native to southern Arizona and is notable for its extremely small burrow entrances, measuring only 5–10 mm in width. The species was described by Prentice in 1993 and is considered difficult to detect in the field due to its small size and cryptic habits.
Aphonopelma steindachneri
Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula
Aphonopelma steindachneri, commonly known as Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula, is a New World terrestrial tarantula native to arid regions of California and Baja California, Mexico. The species reaches 12–13 cm in diagonal leg span and exhibits dark velvet black to deep brown coloration. It constructs and occupies burrows in open ground, emerging primarily at night to forage. Males become most visible during summer and fall breeding seasons when they leave burrows to search for mates. The species faces predation from spider wasps, centipedes, scorpions, and solifugids.
Atypoides riversi
California Turret Spider, turret spider
Atypoides riversi, commonly known as the California turret spider, is a medium-sized mygalomorph spider endemic to northern and central California. It constructs distinctive burrows topped with a turret-like structure made of soil, vegetation, and silk. Females are larger than males, with body lengths ranging from 13 to 18 millimeters. Research indicates this species represents a species complex, with multiple genetically distinct populations separated by geographic barriers.
Bothriocyrtum
California trap-door spiders
Bothriocyrtum is a genus of mygalomorph spiders in the family Halonoproctidae, established by Eugène Simon in 1891. The genus comprises three recognized species native to North America and Taiwan. These spiders are commonly known as trap-door spiders, constructing burrows with hinged silk-lidded doors. The genus was separated from Cyrtocarenum based on distinct morphological features including eye arrangement and width of separation between certain structures.
Cyclocosmia torreya
Torreya Trapdoor Spider
Cyclocosmia torreya is a cork-lid trapdoor spider endemic to the Apalachicola River region of Florida. The species constructs burrows sealed with a hardened, disk-like abdominal shield that serves as a defensive plug against predators. It belongs to a genus characterized by this unique abdominal truncation, which has evolved independently as an anti-predator adaptation. The species is rare and poorly known, with only a handful of documented observations.
Cyclocosmia truncata
Ravine Trapdoor Spider
Cyclocosmia truncata is a cork-lid trapdoor spider native to the United States. It constructs burrows in soil and employs a distinctive defensive behavior called phragmosis, using its rigid, disc-shaped abdomen to plug the burrow entrance when threatened. The species belongs to the mygalomorph spider group, which includes tarantulas and other trapdoor spiders. It is not considered dangerous to humans despite possessing venom typical of spiders.
Entychides
Entychides is a genus of mygalomorph trapdoor spiders in the family Euctenizidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1888. The genus has undergone several family reassignments, originally placed in Ctenizidae, then moved to wafer trapdoor spiders (Cyrtaucheniidae) in 1985, and finally to Euctenizidae in 2012. It contains four recognized species distributed across Mexico, the southwestern United States, and the Lesser Antilles.
Eucteniza relata
Southwestern Trapdoor Spider
Eucteniza relata, commonly known as the southwestern trapdoor spider, is a species of wafer-lid trapdoor spider in the family Euctenizidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico. The species belongs to a family of mygalomorph spiders known for constructing burrows with trap doors made of soil, vegetation, and silk.
Geolycosa escambiensis
Geolycosa escambiensis is a burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, this species constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and spends the majority of its life underground. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to Escambia County or the Escambia River region. Burrowing wolf spiders are characterized by their enlarged anterior median eyes, stout front legs adapted for digging, and elevated cephalothorax.
Geolycosa hubbelli
Geolycosa hubbelli is a species of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It is found in the United States and belongs to a genus characterized by deep, silk-lined burrows. Members of this genus are typically associated with sandy or loose soil habitats where they construct vertical burrows with debris-reinforced turrets.
Geolycosa micanopy
Geolycosa micanopy is a burrowing wolf spider species in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. It is known from the United States. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy substrates. A laboratory study has examined burrow establishment behavior in young individuals of this species in relation to microhabitat conditions and prey availability.
Geolycosa patellonigra
Geolycosa patellonigra is a burrowing wolf spider species in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. It is found in the United States, with records from Florida and potentially other southeastern states. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and exhibits notable ballooning behavior—spiderling aerial dispersal via silk threads—at frequencies higher than typical for wolf spiders. The species shows geographical variation in its seasonal distribution patterns.
Geolycosa turricola
turret spider, burrowing wolf spider
Geolycosa turricola is a burrowing wolf spider (family Lycosidae) native to the eastern United States, ranging as far west as Ohio. This species constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils, often with a distinctive turret of silk and debris at the entrance. It exhibits an obligate burrowing lifestyle with a two-year life cycle and has been documented showing high frequencies of ballooning behavior—aerial dispersal via silk threads—despite occupying relatively stable sand dune habitats. Spiderlings display subsocial organization with prolonged mutual tolerance within broods, facilitated primarily by chemical communication.
Geolycosa xera archboldi
Archbold's Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa xera archboldi is a subspecies of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs and inhabits deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils. The subspecies designation suggests geographic isolation and potential ecological specialization. Adults are nocturnal hunters that may be detected at night by the reflective glow of their eyes when illuminated by artificial light.
Hexura
Hexura is a genus of American folding trapdoor spiders first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1884. The genus contains two species: H. picea and H. rothi, both found in the United States. These spiders construct burrows with hinged, folding trapdoors. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with placement in Antrodiaetidae confirmed by 2019.
Hogna lenta
Field Wolf Spider
Hogna lenta is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, commonly known as the Field Wolf Spider. It is native to the southeastern United States, with particular abundance in Florida. This large, ground-dwelling spider constructs vertical burrows in sandy substrates and hunts using vibration detection. The species has been used in neuroanatomical research to study catecholaminergic neuron distribution in spider central nervous systems.
Hogna osceola
Hogna osceola is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Gertsch and Wallace in 1937. It is a burrow-living wolf spider found in sandy habitats of western Texas and adjacent regions. Like other members of the genus Hogna, it exhibits the characteristic eye arrangement of wolf spiders with enlarged posterior median eyes that produce eyeshine visible at night when illuminated. The species appears to be associated with sand dune systems, where individuals construct silk-lined burrows.
Lycosidae
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) are robust, agile hunters characterized by excellent eyesight and solitary behavior. The family is distinguished by a unique eye arrangement featuring two large, forward-facing posterior median eyes that produce distinctive reflective eyeshine. Most species are ground-dwelling and do not construct webs for prey capture, instead actively hunting or ambushing prey. Females carry egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and subsequently transport spiderlings on their backs. The family exhibits considerable ecological diversity, with species occupying habitats ranging from sandy beaches to forest floors and agricultural fields.
Melocosa fumosa
Melocosa fumosa is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by James Henry Emerton in 1894. The species is documented from the United States and Canada. As a member of the genus Melocosa, it belongs to a group of wolf spiders characterized by burrowing behavior and specific eye arrangement patterns. The species has been recorded in iNaturalist with over 100 observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists.
Neoapachella rothi
Neoapachella rothi is a mygalomorph trapdoor spider and the sole species in its genus. It was described in 2002 and is endemic to the southwestern United States. The species name honors arachnologist Vincent D. Roth, while the genus name references the Apache peoples. Adults reach approximately 20.7 mm in body length.
Theraphosidae
tarantulas, bird spiders, birdeaters
Theraphosidae is a family of large, often hairy spiders commonly known as tarantulas. The family comprises approximately 900 described species distributed across tropical, subtropical, and arid regions worldwide. Tarantulas are characterized by their substantial size, with some species reaching leg spans up to 30 cm, and their longevity—females of certain species can live 20 to 30 years. They are primarily nocturnal predators that employ diverse hunting strategies including ambush from burrows, active pursuit, and arboreal hunting. The family exhibits considerable ecological diversity, with species occupying terrestrial burrowing, arboreal, and even cave-dwelling niches.
Tliltocatl
Red Rump Tarantula (for T. vagans)
Tliltocatl is a genus of large burrowing tarantulas in the family Theraphosidae, erected in 2020 when molecular phylogenetic studies demonstrated that the genus Brachypelma comprised two distinct clades. Species are found predominantly in Mexico and Central America. The genus name derives from Nahuatl words meaning 'black spider.' Unlike Brachypelma species, Tliltocatl lacks striking red leg markings, instead displaying more subdued coloration with long red or yellowish abdominal hairs. Several species are threatened by habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade, leading to CITES protection.
Tliltocatl vagans
Mexican red-rump tarantula, Mexican red rump
Tliltocatl vagans is a large terrestrial tarantula native to Mexico and Central America, distinguished by the distinctive red hairs covering its abdomen. Formerly placed in the genus Brachypelma, this species was reclassified to Tliltocatl following taxonomic revision accepted by the World Spider Catalog. It is a burrowing, nocturnal predator that constructs underground galleries. The species has established a non-native population in Florida since 1996, introduced through the pet trade. Females are notably long-lived, potentially reaching 25–40 years in captivity. Due to habitat destruction, collection pressure, and high juvenile mortality, T. vagans is considered vulnerable to extinction and is protected under CITES Appendix II.