A small spider, about 1/2 inch (13 mm) long with a dark-red cephalothorax, reddish-brown legs and tan abdomen. They have rather large fangs that are used to puncture the hard exoskeleton of their primary prey, woodlice and pill bugs. Although the fangs are not visible in these photos, click here for another view. Another identifying character of this spider is that it has only six eyes, arranged in a tight semi-circle. Most spiders have eight eyes.
These spiders are native to Europe but are common and widespread in many parts of the world. They are considered to be common in our area. They are usually to be found under logs in warm places, often close to woodlice. They spend the day in a silken retreat in crevices in partially decayed wood, but sometimes construct tent-like structures in cavities in large rocks.
These spiders are night hunters and do not use a web to capture their prey. The female lays her eggs in a silken sac and is believed to look after her young after hatching. This species is reported to take up to a year and a half to mature, and can live an additional two to three years in captivity. Although the fangs of this spider are rather formidable, the bite is harmless to humans. This spider is the only member of its family in North America.
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