Running Crab Spiders
ExploreInsects
Running Crab Spiders
Philodromidae
Running crab spiders are quick little creatures that can run sideways and forward! They are often found in gardens and on plants, where they hunt for their food.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Running Crab Spiders has a flattened body and long, strong front legs, giving them a crab-like look. They are often brown, grey, or green with intricate patterns, allowing them to blend perfectly with bark, leaves, or flowers.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderAraneaeFamilyPhilodromidae
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female Running Crab Spiders fiercely guard their silk-wrapped egg sacs until the babies hatch!
Some tiny species can 'balloon' by releasing silk into the wind to travel far away!
Their flattened bodies help them squeeze into super tight spots, perfect for hiding!
Unlike many spiders, they use their silk only for safety lines and to wrap their eggs!
Special abilities
Ability
Lightning Lunge
Running Crab Spiders can sprint incredibly fast to ambush unsuspecting prey, thanks to their powerful leg muscles.
Ability
Stealth Camouflage
Running Crab Spiders has intricate body patterns that perfectly mimic bark or leaves, helping them disappear from view.
Ability
Lateral Scuttle
Running Crab Spiders can run sideways and even backward with impressive speed, just like a crab, to dodge or pursue.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 3-10 mm
- Lifespan
- 365-730 days
- Leg Count
- 8
Diet & Feeding
Nimble hunters, they feast on various small insects they ambush or chase down.
Primary Foods
- Flies
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Beetles
- Moths
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
House Fly
Musca domestica
Main prey item
hunts
Cotton Aphid
Aphis gossypii
Feeds on small soft-bodied insects
hunts
Blue Bottle Fly
Calliphora vicina
Ambush prey
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
Birds prey on spiders
eaten by
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
Lizards eat spiders
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a spider, it's best to leave it alone and watch from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Running Crab Spiders?
3-10 mm
How long does Running Crab Spiders live?
365-730 days
What does Running Crab Spiders eat?
Nimble hunters, they feast on various small insects they ambush or chase down.
Where is Running Crab Spiders usually found?
Urban areas
How does Running Crab Spiders hunt?
Ambush
How many legs does Running Crab Spiders have?
8
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park59 sightings11 species
Ontario, CA
Memorial Park
You might spot Asian Lady Beetle and Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth.
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Park14 sightings5 species
British Columbia, CA
Lockhart Beach Provincial Park
You might spot Douglas Fir, Silverleaf Phacelia, and Rocky Mountain Maple.
View guide →
Park21 sightings3 species
Florida, US
Phelps Park
You might spot Plum Pines, Honey Fungus, and Coralbush.
View guide →
Park0 sightings0 species
British Columbia, CA
Valhalla Provincial Park
You might spot Western Rattlesnake Plantain and Shinyleaf Meadowsweet.
View guide →
