Spiders in the family Thomisidae are commonly called crab spiders, after their habit of holding their elongated front legs in the manner of the more familiar crustaceans one sees on "Deadliest Catch." They don't build webs to trap prey, but are active or ambush hunters.

Other species in Thomisidae have brightly colored camouflage which makes them nearly invisible when lying in wait on or near flowers, where they snag unwary insects blundering within range while nectaring. Their prey includes butterflies, flies, beetles, and bugs.

Like all spiders, crab spiders go through a simple metamorphosis.  Young crab spiders hatch from eggs and look like tiny adults.  They shed their skin as they grow.  Most live for less than 1 year.  Females produce hundreds of eggs in the fall, and the offspring hatch in the spring.