Researchers in Australia have made a big discovery: a species of large trapdoor spider found only in central Queensland.
The arachnid has been nicknamed Euoplos dignitas, a name «derived from the Latin dignitas meaning dignity or greatness, reflecting the impressive size and nature of the spiderthe Queensland Museum scientists said in a statement.
The spider lives in open woodland habitats and builds its burrows in the black soils of the Brigalow Belt in central Queensland, which is located on the northeast coast of Australia.
The species has lost much of its habitat to land clearing, likely making it an endangered species, the scientists said.
While the Australian team didn’t detail how big their find is, trap spiders typically have bodies up to 1.5 inches long that nest underground, according to National Geographic. They are hairy tropical spiders and their bites can cause pain and swelling in humans.
According british, spiders build burrows in the ground and build doors with silken hinges. The spiders then feed by quickly opening the hatch and catching unsuspecting insects passing by.
In a video posted to announce Australia’s discovery of the giant, creepy crawler, Michael Rix, senior curator of arachnology at the Queensland Museums Network, said experts were excited to «scientifically document this new species.»
Dr Jeremy Wilson, a research assistant in arachnology at the Queensland Museums Network, said in the video that the research is exciting because «you never know what you’re going to find.»
Wilson said naming the new species has positive real-life ramifications because a known species means it «can be protected.»