NB: not captive, seen on the garden patio tiles.

When I came upon this spider, he was weak but still defensive, raising his front legs to make himself appear bigger and threatening....and at that moment I could see the double spurs on his first two legs. These, together with the large pedipalps, general body form and size, indicated this was a male.

I gently took him to some sheltered undergrowth in the garden.

I understand that at the time of year that I saw him (January, summer here in Australia) and particularly during periods of high humidity - the male trapdoors are out and about looking for females.

They are eaten by the female, or naturally die after mating. Perhaps that was what was happening here.

Commonly known as the brown trapdoor spider. Male, 15 mm body length.

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