Species Bothriocyrtum californicum - California Trapdoor Spider

Classification · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Spider Found in Presidio Park - Bothriocyrtum californicum

California trapdoor spider - Bothriocyrtum californicum - male

Mature Male California Trapdoor Spider (Bothriocyrtum californicum) - Bothriocyrtum californicum - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Araneae (Spiders)

Infraorder Mygalomorphae (Mygalomorphs)

Family Halonoproctidae (Cork-lid trapdoor spiders)

Genus Bothriocyrtum

Species californicum (California Trapdoor Spider)

Remarks

According to Guinness World Records, as of 2009, this is the strongest spider. It has been able to resist a force 38 times its own weight when defending its trapdoor. This equates to a man trying to hold a door closed while it is being pulled on the other side by a small jet plane.(1) Unfortunately, the Guinness book doesn't mention if it's the strongest North American spider or if it's the strongest in the world. Also, one thing to think about is whether or not every spider's strength has been measured (no, they most definitely have not). The information is flawed in many respects, but it still asserts the fact that these spiders are pretty strong.

Internet References

Peter Bryant's California, Irvine

Works Cited

1.	Guinness World Records 2010: The Book of the Decade Guinness World Records. 2009. Guinness World Records Ltd.

Contributed by john and jane balaban on 22 April, 2007 - 10:11pm
Additional contributions by Mandy Howe
Last updated 10 March, 2014 - 12:01am

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