THE flower-crab spider is a common resident in gardens and nature reserves throughout Durban and most of South Africa.
They are masters of camouflage and are seldom seen.
They are most commonly found sitting in the centre of a flower where they will often have their forearms stretched open wide, as if they are waiting for a big hug. But don’t let this appearance fool you – they are actually waiting for a bee or fly to visit the flower, when their arms close shut like a bear trap and they sink their fangs into their unsuspecting prey.
This spider’s venom is harmless to humans, and like almost all spiders, they will not bite you unless their lives are threatened.
Take time out and go into your garden to see if you can spot one of these amazing little creatures, but do not kill them as they serve a very important purpose in the food chain.
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