Cantuaria johnsi
Ironically larger than the impressively named Cantuaria maxima, C. grandis, and C. magna, C. johnsi is one of the heaviest spiders in Aotearoa. Yet hardly anyone has heard of them, even in their native town in Nelson. As a group, trapdoor spiders are found throughout Aotearoa but are rarely seen due to their secretive habits. Females may live more than 25 years, and unlike many spiders they will care for and protect their offspring for up to 18 months. They live extremely boring lives in deep silk-lined burrows and the females never leave home. Despite their formidable size, they appear frightened of the outside world. Their burrows are only found in earth that has not been recently disturbed, and their populations are relatively unchanged relics of a time before humans arrived at Aotearoa.
Check these links for more info on the Trapdoor Spider in NZ
Wikipedia: Information on Cantuaria johnsi
Blog: Spider Writing
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