Ozyptila praticola, Crab Spider

Common Name: Crab Spider

Ozyptila praticola, a crab spider, is a species that occurs in the litter zone in a variety of habitats including woodland, grassland, parks and gardens and even disturbed areas such as quarries.

Females reach up to 4 mm, males grow up to 3 mm. Both sexes are reddish brown in colour. It hunts primarily in the undergrowth, but can also be found under the bark or on the lower branches of trees. This is also where the female deposits and guards its egg sac. Adults can be found most of the year.

The species is widespread in the southern half of Britain as far north as Northumberland, but with few records in the west. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe.

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