The intertidal spider is 8 to 10 mm long, with a brown carapace and a light grey abdomen. Its fangs (chelicerae) are very large.

This species is found in beach tidal zones, between low and high tide levels. It builds silk burrows in seashells, tubeworm burrows, and bull kelp holdfasts. In these environments, the spiders and their silk retreats are sometimes submerged in sea water. The burrows are lined with silk and have very tightly fitting lids. Bubbles are trapped in the burrow, so that the spider can remain submerged for up to 19 or 20 days.

The spiders emerge and feed during low tide, eating amphipods, marine isopods, and other small invertebrates.

Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos available from www.rodmorris.co.nz