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Project Noah Nature School
Ozyptila praticola
The Leaflitter Crab Spider (Ozyptila praticola) is a common species in Europe and a local species in Northern America. This is a small spider, reaching the length of 3 to 4 mm only and lives in woodlands. There it hunts for small prey on shady spots of the forest ground level. The eggs are laid in a cocoon. This cocoon is often attached to the underside of leaves of twigs, high up in trees or shrubs. The female guards the eggs until they hatch. It is a common species all over Europe and it has also been introduced in Northern America. Nowadays it is a local species over there, probably still spreading.
I disturbed this small spider when I watered one of our recently planted trees as it was hanging out in the mulch below. It ran up the trunk & I managed to get a couple of shots. If I hadn't seen it move I doubt I would have spotted it as it was so small & well camouflaged.
Spotted on Oct 26, 2011
Submitted on Oct 26, 2011
