Trapdoor Spider

Description:

This is a beautiful adult male. It can be recognised as a male as the palps appear 'inflated' - like boxing gloves - (see pic 2) which is characteristic of male spiders. The third leg has the tibia bowed (visible in pic 1) which is a characteristic of Conothele.The body measured approx 1 inch (2.5cm) and if the legs were stretched out, approx 2 - maybe 2.5 inches (5-6.35cm).

Habitat:

This beauty was running around in the dirt carpark at the recreation centre towards the edge of town while I was at work...taken on my mobile.

Notes:

Thank you to Western Australian Museum Curator for the identification and information. Trapdoor spiders build burrows in the ground, with a think bath-plug-like door in which the female spends its entire life...often for many, many years. Only the males leave their burrows in search of females during mating season. Looks similar to this spider: https://colombia.inaturalist.org/taxa/36...