[1] It is nocturnal, emerging at night from temporary sand burrows to feed on beach hoppers (Orchestoidea).

Males possess a cleft in the last abdominal sternite, which makes them readily discernible from females.

Populations north of central California tend to be darker in response to the dark volcanic sand, while those in the southern range are quite pale.

[3] Individuals switch between inactive ambush predation and active foraging for their prey, which consists mostly of beach hoppers (Amphipoda).

Dissected females have been shown to carry only 2–3 eggs, which are oviposited singly in the sand.