SANParks.org Forums

Seen in Marakele.

Just to add to what has already been said.

Lifestyle Diurnal, free living spiders that inhabit vegetation.

Description 4mm to 16mm in length. Colouration ranges from vivid green to a dull brown. Long elongated tapering abdomen. Long legs robust legs with characteristic long spines. Abdomen displays white to pale green chevron markings.

Distribution Widely distributed throughout southern Africa.
Web These spiders do not spin a web. However, the female does construct a structure from which she hangs her eggs.

Venom Completely harmless.

Notes Lynx spiders rely on their well developed vision to hunt for prey which they ambush. The spines on their legs aid the spider to grasp free running insect prey. Have been observed catching flying prey such as moths. When moving about vegetation they often jump. They make use of a safety line when jumping.

The female lays her eggs in vegetation. She doesn’t feed at all while guarding the eggs. After they hatch, her life is complete and she dies. When inactive at night, these spiders may be found on the underside of a leaf. Able to change colour to blend in perfectly to the vegetation.

At the first sign of danger these spiders jump away. Males are similar in size to the females.

Cool stuff, ScorpionKing! Thanx for all the interesting info.
Welcome to the forum.
Uhm... I hope that avie's not your mugshot.

Walked outside this morning and this chap was on my bakkie door. Stunning specimen with his spiky legs and his "boxing gloves" Photo doesnt show just how green he was and he had a leg-span of maybe 50 mm max? He had spun about 4 or 5 randomly spaced pretty strong looking straight web threads from the top of the window to the bottom. He was also pretty speedy.I have never seen one before and have absolutely not a clue as to what he is but if anybody out there can fill in a few of the blanks that would be great! ----

I don't know if you have them in South Africa, but it looks very similar to a Green Lynx Spider. Peucetia viridans The Green Lynx Spider occurs throughout most of the southern United States from coast to coast, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies and is in the family Oxyopidae.

Look here

Check the post of shangri-la in the mid part of the page

Thanks very much Normana53 and Big5spotter. Green Lynx it is alright and definitely a male with those big palpal organs. Spiders are not my strong point Very happy with the ID so thanks for pointing the way. ------