The hunting techniques of trapdoor spiders change to suit their habitat. Species living in fairly wet places with plenty of insects can easily rely on the ambush. At night the spider lurks at the entrance to its burrow. It puts out its front two pairs of legs, which have hairs that are sensitive to ground vibrations. When a victim passes by, the spider lunges forward and strikes, this can take up to 1 second. Some trapdoor spiders live in drier habitats, where there are fewer insects. These species have better eyesight and longer legs. They often pursue their quarry for some distance from the burrow.

Some species lay traps for their prey. They stretch silken tripping wires from the burrow or even small twigs with silk on them. At the slightest movement, the spider rushes out and plunges its fangs into the victim. The venom kills the prey in seconds and begins to digest its tissues, making a soup the spider can suck up at leisure. The trapdoor spider stays inside the burrow as it waits for prey to come past.