When cleansed of soil (see Behavior, below) the body is reddish, with orange coloration on its chelicerae, sternum, endites, and labium.

[4] Paratropis tuxtlensis is the first member of the family Paratropididae to be found in North America.

[4] The species name P. tuxtlensis is derived from Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, the only place to date where it has been found.

[5] Paratropis tuxtlensis excretes a sticky substance from glandular pores in its exoskeleton, which helps particles of soil adhere to its body.

[4] When exposed, the spider remains completely motionless in order to avoid detection.