The geographic distribution of trapdoor spiders is erratic and is attributed to the continental drift. Various species of trapdoor spiders can be found all over the world. Look for trapdoor spiders in:  North America: Canada, The United States (southeastern and pacific states, and north to Colorado) Central America (Guatemala, Mexico, etc.) Asia (China, Japan, Thailand, etc.) South Africa and Madagascar Australia Throughout the world, trapdoor spiders favor warm environments, such as temperate forests and deserts. They will burrow in grassy areas, hillsides, and dirt embankments. Trapdoor spiders burrow in the ground (about 0.75 inches wide and up to 8 inches deep) and cover their burrow with a silken hinged “trapdoor” camouflaged by sticks, pebbles, and other natural material. Because the burrows are camouflaged, they can be very hard to see.  Larger burrows may have multiple trapdoors. Usually, the burrow faces sunlight and will be found near vegetation. Trapdoor spiders are shy, may be nocturnal, and are rarely seen far from their burrows (males may wander during mating season, however). You might be able to spy one, however, when it eats. The spiders will wait in their burrows until they sense vibrations in the ground caused by insects (including crickets, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers) and other spiders. Then, the spiders will leap out of the trapdoor, grab one of these animals, and drag it back into the burrow.

Summary: Know where trapdoor spiders are found throughout the world. Look for areas where trapdoor spiders like to burrow. Recognize the signs of a trapdoor spider burrow. Look for trapdoor spider food.


Some good spots are near a window with lots of sun or on an open porch. The plant will grow best in full sunlight, so try to keep it exposed as much as possible. Check the soil daily by sticking your pointer finger into the dirt up to the second knuckle. If the dirt feels moist, then the plant still has enough moisture and you should wait to water it. If the soil feels dry, pour some water over evenly over the dirt’s surface. It’s better to water plants when they need it, rather than on a set schedule. Generally speaking, though, date palm plants will need to be watered about once a week. Once you notice that the plant is outgrowing its current pot or growing roots out of the bottom of the pot, you’ll need to move it to a bigger pot. Keep doing this throughout the plant’s life as it keeps growing. Always water the plant well before and after transplanting it into a new pot.  Once the plant has grown to tree size, you can move the large pot outdoors onto a deck or porch. Make sure to keep it in a spot with maximum sun exposure. If necessary, you can also keep it indoors in a large pot near a sunny window. However, keep in mind that this will severely hinder its growth. If you live in a warm enough climate, you can also transplant the date palm into the ground outside. As long as you live in a warm enough climate, you can move your date palm plant outdoors and plant it in the ground. You’ll need to choose a sunny spot and dig a hole large enough to hold the plant’s roots. Take the plant out of its pot and set it in the hole, then fill it in with soil. Keep in mind that over time, date palms can reach heights of 50 feet (15 m). Choose a spot that will give the tree plenty of room to grow!

Summary: Keep the pot in a sunny area. Water the plant whenever the first 2 inches (5.1 cm) of soil feels dry. Transplant the date palm into larger pots as it grows. Transplant the date palm into the ground if it gets too big for a pot.


Giant African land snails will eat almost any vegetarian food, but fresh produce is your best option. Start with foods like lettuce, cucumbers, apples, bananas, and cabbage. Also try corn and bell peppers, as well as zucchini, grapes, melons, watercress, and spinach.  Always check up on the food, and remove it when it's gone bad. Skip onions, pasta (starchy foods), and anything with salt in it. Make sure to scrub your snail's food thoroughly before giving it to your snail. You want to make sure any pesticides are washed off so that your snail doesn't eat them. Place a shallow water dish in the snail's container for the snail to drink. This dish has the added benefit of providing humidity to the tank. Be sure to change it out once a day. Snails need a steady supply of calcium to maintain their shells. An easy way to provide it is to place a cuttlefish bone in the tank, which can be found at most pet stores. Use ground eggshells (clean) or ground oyster shells as an alternative. If your snails don't seem to like these, you can find calcium you can spray on top of their normal food.
Summary: Choose fresh produce. Wash your snail's food thoroughly. Use a small water dish. Provide calcium to the snail.