It's not a crab. It's a spider. Actually, it's called a crab spider! 8D
This little guy is the tiniest spider I've seen. His body is only about 3mm (0.12in). If I hadn't been looking for him, I wouldn't have spotted him at all.
Crab spiders don't spin webs. They are ambush hunters. Because of their flat bodies, they can hide in little crevices. Or they hide in plain sight, keeping very still. When a prey comes along, a crab spider grabs it and bites it. The two pairs of front legs are particularly long and large for that purpose. A crab spider has no problem holding on to a bug larger than itself.
I must have spent 10 minutes looking at him. Because he's so tiny and cute. (In my books, if a spider is smaller than a peanut, is non-hairy, is not black or brown, does not have stick-like legs or a swollen abdomen and does not spin webs, it's cute. XD ) He kept really still at first but, when he decided that enough was enough and I was being rude, he ran, raised himself on his hind legs and waved his front legs at me as if to say, "Will you get out of here already!?" Then he ran to another leaf and repeated the wave. Then he ran to yet another leaf and waved yet again. By this time, I felt really embarrassed, so I left him alone. But, really, he was tiny and cute!
Thanks for the interesting information of the spider and the beautiful pic witch comes with it. You sure knows a lot about insects ( and of taken pic of them )
Great find and shot! Thank you for the info! The way you describe him running and waving his legs is exactly how my emerald and porcelain crabs move in my salt water tank! Are it's front legs like little pinchers?
Fav! what an awesome shot!! I have been thinking some of us 365 ers should submit our photos to those arachnid sites, our photos are so much better than what they have if you are looking up a bug!! This is a great macro!!
You really crack me up.. you are a child at heart which is beautiful :) btw my daughter is a massive manga / anime fan as well.. Love the shot and the little story :)
Your photos and your comment always make me smile!! He looks like a mighty little Superman! Flexing his muscle ... watch out!! I can just picture you studying him ... you're amazing too, Livia. :)
Love it Livia! Beautiful Focus ! We have those here in Texas and when i shot one one time i thought it was a spider but when i put it up on the computer it sure did look like a crab!! Now i have all the fact'sThank to you!! Great Capture!!
He is not called a crab spider for nothing! Able to hide and pounce with his crab like claws! I do think he thought you were a threat, Livia! Amazing photo for us to see!
I love this, Livia. It looks like he either wants to give you a big hug or he's saying "I give up" ... don't shoot! Thanks for the information----very interesting!
I loved your criteria for what a makes a spider "cute." I pretty much agree with that. LOL! The angle on this is amazing and it is so hard to see much less shoot a bug 3mm wide/long. I know! I loved your story about how he shook his wee little fisties at you too! And, beside the spider, the leaves in this photo are very neat looking! Fav for me!
Wow..stunning capture. Love the dof and composition. Color is fantastic. He almost looks transparent. Love the fact that he kept waving to you. So funny
A great, big, not-so-crabby, cute, defensive and strong "THANK YOU!" to everyone! Thank you for stopping by, for putting up with my macro obsession, for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your support very much. Thank you!
Very cute! A huntsman (big Aussie spider) did this to me once too! Thankfully I was inside the car while he was doing the legs-up dance on the wing mirror. Your tiny spider sounds much cuter :)
glad you like little non hairy spiders
But this is a great shot! :D