Chapter 1 TRAP-DOOR SPIDERS Predators are animals that catch and kill other animals Predators catch prey in all sorts of ways Sharp teeth and claws are only the beginning Some predators disguise themselves and lure their prey in close Some poison their prey or knock it out with a powerful punch The trap-door spider builds a special trap to catch its next meal Trap-door spiders are predators How do they catch their prey 4 44
Trap-door spiders don’t catch their prey in webs the way some spiders do Instead they build an underground tunnel with a hidden trapdoor The door is camouflaged with sticks pebbles or bits of plants The spider hides behind the door and waits It holds the door closed with its mouthparts The spider waits for an insect or other prey to come near This trap-door spider sits inside its tunnel 5
