Square-ended crab spider

It waits very still and grabs passing insects with its strong, spiny front legs.

If danger comes, it can play dead and drop to the ground on a silk thread.

If it lands upside down, it flips itself back over by pushing with its legs and using its square back end like a pivot.

Mother spiders lay flat egg sacs under dead leaves and often stand guard over them.

It is the most common square-ended crab spider in New Zealand and is often found on ferns.