Crab spiders get their name from their front two legs, which are longer than the other six and cause the spiders to move sideways instead of forward. Crab spiders have a wide variety of colors on their body and use their large front two legs to capture prey. Insects sometimes larger than the spiders themselves are usually the target of crab spiders' attacks.
Jumping spiders are small, hairy spiders capable of jumping much further than their own body length. These spiders use their jumping capability, flexible body and eyes that go all the way around their head to locate and take down insects. Like crab spiders, jumping spiders have bright colors and are not poisonous to humans.
Baboon spiders are the largest in Africa and are known primarily for their furry body and pronounced fangs. Known as tarantulas in the United States, baboon spiders create homes for themselves underground using silk. They are not very aggressive and typically go after insects during the night by waiting for them to get close enough to strike. Baboon spiders are typically dull in color, though they sometimes have a yellowish hue.
Button spiders are better known to those in the United States as black widows. Named in Africa for their abbreviated body shape, button spiders are easy to spot despite being small because of a red hourglass-like shape on their back. Though button spiders usually try to stay away from people and do not have an aggressive demeanor, they are poisonous and in some cases, have killed humans who disturbed them.
Ogre-faced spiders are distinctive because of their very large eyes and fangs that make them appear to actually have a face. These spiders prey only on bugs and other insects and prefer to do so during the night. A body colored like leaves and twigs, allows ogre-faced spiders to avoid contact with other creatures during the day. The large eyes help the spiders see at night but hinder their ability during daytime.
