Cataxia eungellaensis facts for kids

The Cataxia eungellaensis is a unique type of spider known as an idiopid spider. These fascinating creatures are found only in Queensland, Australia.

Meet the Cataxia eungellaensis

This spider is quite special because scientists have only found female Cataxia eungellaensis spiders so far! They are mostly dark brown. Their legs are dark too, but they have cool yellow-red stripes. The main body part (called the abdomen) is a bit hairy. It has a brown pattern that blends into a pale yellow background.

The spider's head and chest area (called the cephalothorax) is smooth. It measures about 10.2 millimeters long and 8.2 millimeters wide. Its eyes are close together. The spider also has a large claw on its last leg segment, which helps it move around.

Where Does It Live?

The Cataxia eungellaensis spider loves wet, thick rainforests. It builds its home on slopes where lots of moss and ferns grow. Imagine a damp, green forest floor – that's where this spider feels at home!

Its Clever Home

This spider is an amazing architect! It builds a special burrow (a tunnel in the ground) with a very clever door. This door is like a flap that can lie flat over the burrow's opening or fold right into its edge.

Larger burrows are completely lined with silk inside, making them strong and cozy. These burrows usually go straight across (horizontally) underground. The door's hinge is always on the uphill side of the opening. This means that when the door opens, the entrance of the burrow faces downhill. This design might help keep water out or make it easier to catch prey!