Crab spider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crab spiders |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Camouflaged crab spider on a violet flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Thomisidae
Sundevall, 1833
|
| Diversity | |
| 170 genera, > 2,000 species | |
 |
|
Crab spiders are amazing creatures from the Thomisidae family of spiders. They get their name because they can move sideways or backward, just like a crab! These spiders have a unique look with their two front pairs of legs angled outward. Their bodies are often flat and have sharp angles.
These fascinating spiders are found in rainforests all over the world. They are known for their clever hunting methods and incredible ability to blend in with their surroundings.
Contents
About Crab Spiders
Crab spiders are not like spiders that spin big webs to catch their food. Instead, they are expert hunters and ambushers. This means they wait patiently for their prey to come to them.
How Crab Spiders Hunt
When an insect comes close, crab spiders use their strong front legs to quickly grab and hold onto it. They then give a venomous bite to paralyze their prey. This allows them to eat their meal safely.
Many crab spiders like to sit on or among flowers, bark, fruit, or leaves. They blend in perfectly with these places, waiting for insects like bees or flies to visit.
Masters of Camouflage
One of the coolest things about crab spiders is their camouflage. They are masters of disguise! Some species can even change their color to match the flower they are sitting on. This makes them almost invisible to unsuspecting insects.
Amazing Disguises
Some crab spiders have an even more amazing trick. They can look exactly like bird droppings resting on a leaf. It's so convincing that even if you look closely, it's hard to tell the difference! This helps them hide from predators and surprise their prey.
Images for kids
-
Crab spider feeding on a Junonia atlites butterfly in a Zinnia elegans flower
-
Crab spider waiting in ambush, Behbahan, Iran
-
Misumena vatia female
-
Angaeus sp., Karnataka, India
-
Ant-mimic Amyciaea sp., Karnataka, India
-
Phyrnarachne sp. mimicking bird-dropping, Karnataka, India
-
Camaricus sp., Goa, India
-
Runcinia sp., Goa, India
See also
In Spanish: Arañas cangrejo para niños
