Tasmanian cave spider Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Tasmanian cave spider

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Austrochilidae
Genus:	Hickmania Gertsch, 1958
Species:	H. troglodytes
Binomial name
*Hickmania troglodytes* (Higgins & Petterd, 1883)

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The Tasmanian cave spider (Hickmania troglodytes) is a special type of spider found only in Tasmania, Australia. It's the only species in its group, called Hickmania. This spider belongs to a family of spiders known as Austrochilidae. A scientist named Willis J. Gertsch first described this spider group in 1958.

This spider is like a living fossil! It's the last of a very old spider family that has been around since the supercontinent Gondwana existed. Its closest relatives now live far away in South America. The Tasmanian cave spider is an important symbol for protecting animals in Tasmania. Its name honors a professor from the University of Tasmania who studied spiders. The second part of its name, troglodytes, comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning "cave-dweller," which fits perfectly because it loves caves!

What Does the Tasmanian Cave Spider Look Like?
- Differences Between Males and Females
Where Do Tasmanian Cave Spiders Live?
- How They Hunt
- How Long Do They Live?
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What Does the Tasmanian Cave Spider Look Like?

Tasmanian cave spiders have a reddish-brown top shell, called a carapace. Their body, or opisthosoma, is a duller, darker brown. These spiders can grow to be about 1.3 to 2 centimeters (about half an inch to almost an inch) long. Their legs can spread out to an impressive 18 centimeters (about 7 inches)!

These spiders are quite ancient. They breathe using special organs called book lungs. You can see these as four light patches under their abdomen.

Differences Between Males and Females

Male Tasmanian cave spiders are smaller than the females. Males have a unique bend or kink near the end of their second pair of legs. They use this special bend to hold the female's head during mating.

Where Do Tasmanian Cave Spiders Live?

Tasmanian cave spiders live all over Tasmania. They like dark, cool places. You can find them in underground drainage systems and caves. They also live under bridges and inside hollow logs.

How They Hunt

These spiders build large, flat webs that can be up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) wide. They hang underneath their web, waiting for insects or other small creatures to fly or jump into it.