Terra Natura Benidorm Unveils Extraordinary ‘Trapdoor Shield’ Spider And Welcomes Endangered Axolotls

Benidorm / 2 July 2026

Rare Spider With One Of Nature's Most Remarkable Defence Mechanisms Arrives At Costa Blanca Wildlife Park

Terra Natura Benidorm has expanded its popular venomous creatures exhibit with the arrival of one of the world's most unusual spiders, a species capable of using its own body as a living shield against predators. The addition forms part of the park's ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation, education and public awareness.

The new resident, Cyclocosmia latisicosta, is attracting attention from animal experts and visitors alike due to a remarkable survival strategy rarely seen in the natural world. The spider joins an exhibit dedicated to helping visitors better understand misunderstood species while highlighting the importance of biodiversity.

The Spider That Turns Its Body Into A Door

Unlike most spiders, Cyclocosmia latisicosta possesses a highly specialised abdomen that is flat, rigid and perfectly circular. The unusual shape resembles a coin, shield or carved disc and has evolved for a very specific purpose: defence.

When threatened, the spider retreats into its burrow and positions its abdomen over the entrance, effectively sealing itself inside. This natural "living trapdoor" makes it extremely difficult for predators to gain access.

Wildlife specialists describe the adaptation as one of the most ingenious defensive mechanisms found among arachnids. The species spends much of its time hidden underground, making sightings relatively rare even within controlled environments.

New Attraction For Venomous Creatures Exhibit

The specimen is housed individually in a specially designed habitat that recreates the environmental conditions of its natural range.

Park officials say the addition supports their educational mission by introducing visitors to lesser-known species that often suffer from negative public perceptions.

The exhibit aims to:

• Increase awareness of lesser-known wildlife
• Promote understanding of venomous species
• Challenge common myths surrounding spiders and reptiles
• Highlight the ecological importance of predator species
• Encourage respect for biodiversity and conservation

Terra Natura's venomous creatures zone is one of the park's most popular educational areas, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about species that play vital roles within global ecosystems.

Critically Endangered Axolotls Strengthen Conservation Efforts

Alongside the spider's arrival, Terra Natura Benidorm has also welcomed two new Anderson's axolotls (Ambystoma andersoni), a species considered at serious risk of extinction in the wild.

The park already cared for one specimen and has now expanded its breeding and conservation population under human care.

Native to Mexico, Anderson's axolotls face significant threats from:

• Habitat destruction
• Water pollution
• Climate change
• Rising water temperatures
• Loss of natural breeding environments

Conservation organisations worldwide continue to warn that amphibians remain among the most threatened groups of animals on the planet.

Climate Change Threat Highlighted

Wildlife experts note that Anderson's axolotls are particularly sensitive to water quality and temperature changes.

As global temperatures continue to rise, many freshwater species face increasing pressure from warming habitats, making conservation breeding programmes increasingly important.

The arrival of the new axolotls allows Terra Natura to strengthen its contribution to international conservation initiatives while helping visitors understand the challenges facing vulnerable amphibian populations.

Conservation At The Heart Of Terra Natura

Terra Natura Benidorm is home to more than 150 species and continues to participate in numerous conservation and environmental education programmes. The park operates using its distinctive "zoo immersion" concept, where barriers are integrated into the landscape to create more natural viewing experiences while promoting animal welfare.

Park officials say both the spider and the axolotls represent the wider message behind modern wildlife conservation: protecting species before they disappear and helping the public understand the role every animal plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

For visitors this summer, the new arrivals offer a chance to see two of the animal kingdom's most fascinating survival stories up close — one armed with a living shield and the other fighting for survival against extinction.