Can Spiders Walk Backwards?
WouterIf you have ever wondered if spiders walk backwards, there are several things you should know. First, spiders do not have extensor muscles like vertebrates. Instead, they rely on the hydrostatic pressure of their skeleton to move.
Another thing you should know is that spiders have no internal bones, flexors or veins to carry blood. So if you were to walk across the floor, your legs would be heavy and your back would sag.
Luckily, a spider’s exoskeleton is quite light and strong. It also has some unique characteristics. One of those is that it is made from chitin, which is similar to hair.
A spider’s legs consist of seven segments. Each leg has two or three tiny claws at the tip. The legs are joined together by a cephalothroax. These joints help to support the legs’ weight.
In fact, crab spiders can walk backwards. These spiders have eight legs, and the front legs are larger than the other pairs. They prefer to live in trees or leaf piles. They may be brown or gray.
However, crab spiders do not spin webs. Rather, they hide in sacs to wait for prey.
In addition to walking backwards, crab spiders are also able to walk sideways. They primarily stay in their homes during the day, when they are less active.
Crab spiders can be found in warmer regions of the U.S., and they mostly belong to the Thomisidae family. Some species have valves in their legs, to prevent deflation.
