Crab Spiders

spiders · hunters · camouflage · insects

Look like tiny crabs. Crab spiders have a wide, flat body and legs spread out to the sides, which makes them look surprisingly similar to crabs. This weird shape helps them squeeze into tight spaces on flowers and leaves.

Hide in flowers. These spiders lurk inside flowers waiting for bees, butterflies, and other insects to visit. When an insect lands, the spider strikes with amazing speed and grabs its meal.

Super fast reflexes. Crab spiders can catch prey moving at high speeds because they have incredibly quick reactions. Their front legs are specially adapted for grabbing and holding onto fast-moving insects.

Masters of disguise. Many crab spiders are yellow, white, or pink and blend perfectly with the flowers they sit on. Some can even change color slowly to match different flowers, making them nearly invisible to their prey.

Found almost everywhere. With over 2,100 species spread across the world, crab spiders live on every continent except Antarctica. They're among the most successful hunting spiders because they don't need to build webs.