Xerophaeus appendiculatus

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Xerophaeus appendiculatus, commonly known as the common mouse ground spider, is a small ground-dwelling spider in the Gnaphosidae family. It is found only in South Africa and has been recorded in seven provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape. It lives in grassland, Nama Karoo, and savanna habitats from about 54 to 1998 meters above sea level.

Both male and female spiders are known. Females are about 12 mm long, while males are about 9 mm. The carapace is light yellow-brown, the legs are slightly paler, the chelicerae are dark reddish, and the abdomen has brown hairs.

Conservation: Least Concern in South Africa. It occurs in nine protected areas and currently faces no major threats. It was first described by W. F. Purcell in 1907 from Hanover in the Northern Cape. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes.