| any crab-shaped spider of the family Thomisidae, characterized by its sideways manner of moving. |
crab spider
family of spiders (order Araneida) that are crablike in shape and, like many crabs, often walk sideways or backward. The family, which is worldwide in distribution, contains many common species that live on the soil surface, in leaf litter, or under bark. About 125 species occur in the United States.
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