Tree Crab Spider

Appearance

• This species has two front legs that angle out, allowing it to walk sideways and a flat, angular body. The coloring of the crab spider varies. It is most often brown or gray, but the pigment can change to yellow, white or other colors to aid in camouflage.

Hunting Habits

• The crab spider does not have venom that is poisonous to humans, but it is sufficient enough to do damage to the prey it stalks for food. The crab spider does not build a web to capture its food, but actually goes in search of prey, trapping it between its front legs while injecting a paralyzing venom. The crab spider is often called a tree crab spider because the body is flat, allowing the spider to hide in the cracks of tree bark while lying in wait for prey.

Food

• All crab spiders, regardless of where they live, are predators. Crab spiders often hide on plants to attack bees. They will eat flies and other insects as well, often devouring prey two or three times their own size. Crab spiders are generally considered beneficial because their diet largely consists of pests to humans.

Danger to Humans

• The crab spider will bite, but it characteristically avoids contact with humans. A crab spider lying in wait for prey will fall away from a flower or run at the approach of a human. Although the venom is not poisonous to humans nor is a crab spider's bite painful, it is still not a good idea to pick one up with bare hands.