Micro Arboreal Brush Footed Trapdoor (Sason Colemani)

The Micro Arboreal Brush-Footed Trapdoor (Sason colemani) is a fascinating and highly specialised Australian arboreal trapdoor spider known for its unusual tree-dwelling lifestyle and delicate silk-built retreats. Unlike most trapdoor spiders that construct burrows in the ground, Sason colemani lives on vertical surfaces and creates a camouflaged silk tube directly against tree bark.

Its tiny size, specialised brush-like foot hairs, and unique arboreal behaviour make this an especially interesting species for Australian spider enthusiasts, experienced invertebrate keepers, and collectors of unusual trapdoor spiders.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Sason
Species: Sason colemani
Family: Barychelidae
Common Name: Micro Arboreal Brush-Footed Trapdoor
Type: Australian Arboreal Trapdoor Spider

Appearance

Sason colemani is a very small mygalomorph spider with a compact, robust body and specialised adaptations for life on vertical surfaces.

• Very small trapdoor spider species
• Compact and stocky body
• Light brown to dark brown colouration
• Fine hairs covering the body
• Distinctive brush-like hairs on the feet
• Strong legs adapted for gripping bark and other textured surfaces
• Natural colouration that blends with tree bark

The spider’s subtle earthy colouring and tiny size provide excellent camouflage against bark, making it difficult to spot in its natural habitat.

Its specialised brush-footed structure is particularly suited to an arboreal lifestyle, helping the spider maintain its grip while moving across vertical surfaces.

Habitat & Distribution

Sason colemani is an Australian tree-dwelling trapdoor spider associated with forested and woodland environments where suitable trees and bark microhabitats are available.

Unlike terrestrial trapdoor spiders, this species may inhabit:

• Tree trunks
• Rough tree bark
• Areas beneath loose bark
• Vertical bark surfaces
• Sheltered arboreal microhabitats

The spider relies on stable, sheltered microhabitats that provide suitable surfaces for constructing its silk retreat.

For captive environments, providing textured natural bark is particularly important because the species’ lifestyle is strongly associated with arboreal surfaces rather than traditional underground burrows.

Behaviour

The Micro Arboreal Brush-Footed Trapdoor is primarily nocturnal, secretive, and reclusive. It spends much of the day concealed within its silk retreat before becoming more active after dark.

One of its most fascinating characteristics is its unusual retreat construction.

Rather than creating a traditional underground burrow with a hinged trapdoor, Sason colemani constructs a silk tube against the surface of tree bark. The retreat is often well camouflaged and may closely resemble the surrounding bark and debris.

From inside its retreat, the spider waits for small prey to approach.

Its diet can include:

• Small insects
• Fruit flies
• Tiny crickets
• Other small terrestrial or arboreal arthropods

The spider detects vibrations through its silk retreat and can rapidly emerge to capture suitable prey before retreating back into its concealed shelter.

When disturbed, it generally relies on speed, concealment, and retreating into its silk tube rather than aggressive behaviour.

Arboreal Retreat Construction

The most distinctive feature of Sason colemani is its arboreal silk retreat.

The spider uses silk to construct a narrow tube or retreat that sits closely against the surface of tree bark. This provides a secure hiding place while allowing the spider to remain close to potential prey.

The silk retreat provides:

• Protection from predators
• A secure resting area
• Excellent camouflage
• A strategic hunting position
• A sensory surface for detecting vibrations

For keepers, observing the development and maintenance of this silk retreat can be one of the most rewarding aspects of keeping this unusual arboreal trapdoor spider.

Sason colemani Care

Sason colemani care differs significantly from the care of conventional ground-dwelling trapdoor spiders. Because this species is primarily arboreal, enclosure design should focus on providing suitable vertical surfaces rather than deep burrowing substrate.

For a suitable enclosure, provide:

• A vertical enclosure with adequate climbing space
• Rough natural bark or textured surfaces
• Secure attachment points for silk retreat construction
• Moderate humidity
• Good airflow and ventilation
• Stable environmental conditions
• Very small appropriately sized live prey

Suitable bark is particularly important because Sason colemani relies on textured surfaces to construct and maintain its silk retreat.

A small amount of substrate can be provided on the enclosure floor, but deep burrowing substrate is not the primary requirement for this arboreal species.

Feeding

Due to its very small size, Sason colemani requires appropriately sized prey.

Potential feeder insects include:

• Flightless fruit flies
• Small fruit flies
• Pinhead crickets
• Other tiny feeder insects

Prey should be suitably sized for the individual spider. Feeding activity may be difficult to observe because the spider can remain concealed within its silk retreat for extended periods.

Invertebrate Keeping

The Micro Arboreal Brush-Footed Trapdoor is best suited to experienced invertebrate keepers who are interested in unusual Australian spider species and specialised arboreal behaviours.

A well-designed enclosure should prioritise:

• Vertical climbing surfaces
• Natural bark and textured materials
• Suitable humidity
• Good ventilation
• Minimal disturbance
• Appropriately sized prey
• Secure enclosure construction

Avoid repeatedly disturbing the spider or removing its silk retreat. Allowing Sason colemani to construct and maintain its own retreat is an important part of keeping the species successfully.

Why Keep Micro Arboreal Brush-Footed Trapdoors?

Sason colemani is an excellent choice for enthusiasts looking for a unique Australian spider with highly specialised arboreal behaviour.

Key features include:

• Fascinating Australian trapdoor spider
• Extremely small and compact species
• Arboreal rather than primarily terrestrial
• Constructs silk tube retreats on tree bark
• Distinctive brush-like foot hairs
• Excellent natural camouflage
• Primarily nocturnal and secretive
• Fascinating ambush predator
• Unique alternative to traditional burrowing trapdoor spiders
• Interesting addition to specialised Australian spider collections

For enthusiasts searching for an unusual Australian arboreal trapdoor spider, Sason colemani offers a fascinating combination of miniature size, specialised anatomy, tree-dwelling behaviour, and unique silk retreat construction. Its secretive lifestyle and unusual natural history make it a rewarding species for experienced keepers interested in Australia’s diverse native invertebrate fauna.