Crab spider
| Crab spiders | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Ozyptila praticola | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Superfamily: | Thomisoidea |
| Family: | Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833 |
| Genera | |
|
Amyciaea |
|
| Diversity | |
| 170 genera, > 2,000 species | |
 |
|
Crab spiders are the Thomisidae family of spiders. They have two front pairs of legs angled outward and bodies that are flattened and often angular. Also, like crabs, Thomisidae can move sideways or backward.
Crab spiders use their powerful front legs to grab and hold onto prey while paralyzing it with a venomous bite.
Crab spiders are hunters and ambushers. Some species sit on or among flowers, bark, fruit or leaves where they grab visiting insects. Their species use camouflage: several different types are known.[1]
Some species are disguised as birds' droppings resting on a leaf. Even at a close range, it is difficult to tell the difference. Crab spiders live in rainforests all over the world. They get their name from the way they scuttle around, like small crabs.[2]
Images [change]
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Camouflaged crab spider on a violet flower
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Crab spider's yellow legs can just be seen: it's grabbed the butterfly.
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A crab spider hiding in the Twin Lantana
References [change]
- ↑ Platnick, Norman I. 2010. The world spider catalog, version 10.5. American Museum of Natural History.
- ↑ Ganeri, Anita (2000). Jungle Animals: over 100 questions and answers to things you want to know. Dubai, U.A.E. ISBN 0-75254-909-X.
