The genus is nocturnal in habit and has developed extreme flattening of the body adapted to living in narrow cracks, particularly under loose bark.

The common name scorpion spider is derived from its distinctive flat back and carapace orange colouring.

[3] Substantial interest in the genus Platyoides would have been sparked by their unique ability to flatten their abdomen in order to adapt to their environment.

[5] Further genomic differences have too contributed to being able to determine the ancestry of the genus Platyoides by creating a lineage diversification system.

[7] The species of the genus have a unique ability to flatten their abdomen due to a genetic predisposition that results in loose trochantheriids and gnapsoides.

The introduction of new research techniques including a scanning electron microscopy helped aid to distinguish between different species and determine these unique genus qualities.

A distinct carapace orange surrounds the mouth, radiating down onto their legs and on the dorsal aspect of their abdomen.

[2] The genus has a unique feature in their teeth with a triangular tooth existing on their upper margins, behind the regular fangs which aids in chewing prey.

In particular, the Solifugae and the genus Platyoides share the distinctive feature of longer than average extremities that aid both of the spider species to flatten themselves under rocks and bark.

[4] Despite being a nocturnal species, the carapace orange that follows a number of the main body features of the genus including the abdomen and legs.

Spiders that hunt for prey during the daylight are species that tend to rely on their eyesight as opposed to their webs and traps.

[4] It has been deemed by arachnologist Norman I. Platnick that the genus is old and a substantial element of the species diversification occurred prior to Madagascar separating from continental Africa.