Elegant crab spider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elegant crab spider |
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| Xysticus limbatus.—89, female. 90, male.
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Xysticus elegans, also known as the elegant crab spider, is a type of spider. You can find these spiders in the United States, Canada, and Alaska. They are named "crab spiders" because of how they move. They often walk sideways, just like crabs!
What Does the Elegant Crab Spider Look Like?
The elegant crab spider is a medium-sized spider. Female spiders are usually bigger than males. Females are about 8 to 12 millimeters long. Males are smaller, usually about 4 to 5 millimeters long. This big difference in size between males and females is called sexual dimorphism. It means the two sexes look quite different.
Colors and Markings
The elegant crab spider has a brown body part called the cephalothorax. This is where its head and chest are joined. This part often has a lighter area. Sometimes, this lighter area has a white outline.
It also has a light tan band across its eyes. Its belly, called the abdomen, has brown spots. These spots are often outlined in white. The spider's legs are brown.
Leg Differences
The legs of the elegant crab spider also show some differences. The upper parts of the legs, called the femora and patellae, are usually lighter in color for females. For males, these same leg parts are often much darker, almost black.
See also
In Spanish: Xysticus elegans para niños
