Tag: spiders

NATURE KNOWLEDGE:Crab Spider

On By Susan St.PierreIn My Photo Adventures, Nature Knowledge7 Comments

I enjoy watching these spiders. Crab spiders , well, resemble crabs. They have longer front legs and stick them out. Their bodies are flat too.

The one above is a Flower Spider. 200 species of crab spiders, including this one, live in the United States. The coolest thing about them is that they are “free-living” spiders. No webs for these guys. They just wait to ambush prey while sitting on flowers. Although their jaws (chelicerae) are very small, they have potent venom to immobilize their prey and eat at their leisure.

Goldenrod Spider (belongs to Crab Spider family)

These spiders are able to change color over several days. Of course, I assume the color is supposed to help them blend in. Think the Goldenrod Spider (above) is on the wrong flower? What a show-off!

The crab spider (below) has the right idea.

Look for these amazing hunters on daisies and other wildflowers. (Especially if Mom or Dad tends to be a little creeped out over spiders. Check those wild bouquets!)

I am especially fond of “free-living” spiders. Jumping spiders and Wolf spiders are among them. These guys turn to face you as an adversary even with their size disadvantage!  Gotta admire their spunk 🙂

Remember: You can click on these photos (more than once) for a better look.

Zabby Eight Update 7/21/10

On By Susan St.PierreIn Zabby Eight Updates3 Comments

Katherine just returned from a weekend at her Papa’s campground.

Seems she had a great time and spent most of it in the pool.

“Did you wear your life-jacket Katherine?”

“Yes, but I took it off and swam to Mommy a few times!”

“Hurray! Was Zabby there?”

“Yes, she didn’t need a life-preserver though. Imaginary friends can just walk in pools. Their legs stretch out when the water gets deeper.”

“What happens when she leaves the pool?”

“Her legs snap all the way back.”

“Did Alodda go swimming?”

“I don’t know, she stayed with you.”

“So, that is why my bed felt crowded last weekend?”

Soon after that discussion, Kat asked me to take her to the bathroom.

“I’m still afraid of spiders!’, she said.

This arachnophobia is trying my patience.

“Katherine, take Zabby Eight with you. I heard that she can scare spiders away. She’s very good at it too.”

“Grandma…she is NOT a professional!”

Yikes! I was out smarted again…change the subject…

“So,where has Arthur Eight been?”

“He’s STILL at school.”

“I hope he’s studying to become a professional Spider Tamer.”