Spider Hunting Techniques

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Many of us are familiar with web spinning spiders like the orb weaver spider, which uses its elaborately constructed web to trap prey. However, like other predators, spiders have developed a variety of hunting techniques to catch prey.

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A crab spider capturing a bee.

The crab spider for example, often lays waiting for their unsuspecting prey, usually inside a flower or sometimes inside a partly folded young leave. It has the additional advantage of being well camouflage for its body color matches its surrounding. A species of crab spider that habitually stays waiting inside the flower of Urena lobata, for instance, has the pinkish coloration of the flower as well. They are called crab spider for their crab-like leg arrangement as well as their sideways movement. Although tiny, this arachnid is capable of capturing prey much larger than itself like bees and flies.

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A huntsman spider in a house.

In contrast, other group of spiders such as the jumping spider and huntsman spider wander actively when looking for food. In case of the huntsman spider, it does not use web to overpower its victim, instead it uses the combination of swiftness and stealth. Some huntsman species inhabit homes, partly because there are many potential preys like cockroaches and in addition, the huntsman spider flattened body coupled with its somewhat forward pointed legs enable it to move and find shelter inside crevices and under furniture with ease. 

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