[4] They are sometimes referred to as "mouse spiders" from the now-disproven belief that they dig deep burrows similar to those of mice.

Scotophaeus blackwalli is also called a "mouse spider", but it is smaller and not closely related.

[7] Though they resemble most genera of the infraorder Mygalomorphae, they can be easily distinguished by the large pair of chelicerae, as well as by the placement of two small eyes in the centre of the head and three at each side, whereas in all other trapdoor spiders the eyes are grouped in a mound at the centre of the head.

Females generally remain in their burrows, depending on the males to wander in search of mates.

Serious envenomation is relatively rare, but bites documented in medical literature did not require antivenom treatment or involve serious symptoms.