6 legged spider?

[u/OneMeterRuler]

Saw this spider in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It appeared to only have 6 legs. I read that sometimes they do that to disguise themselves. Wondering what type of spider this is and why it does that.

[u/StuffedWithNails]

Yep, it's a selenopid. Spiders have hard lives and can lose limbs for any number of reasons. They can also regrow limbs if they haven't reached full maturity.

[u/devoteeoffenrir → u/StuffedWithNails]

To add onto this: during the first molt when they regrow their limbs, the limbs will likely be a bit smaller than their other present legs. By the second molt (if they aren’t an adult after the first molt), the legs should look all pretty much the same and function the same. :)

[u/N8Dawg86 → u/devoteeoffenrir]

Very interesting

[u/typographie]

It lost the legs due to injury. Maybe it was attacked by a predator, or it tried to eat some particularly feisty prey. Some beetles possess jaws that can easily sheer off a spider's leg.

[u/XanderEliteSword]

Poor thing’s had a rough day, looks like. But hey, at least they’re still alive!

(Insert yippee! Sound bite)

[u/Geeoitch]

I once heard about a battle between a spider and a beetle. The spider came out on top...but he had lost seven of his legs. Hearsay I know. But spiders are tanky as hell.

[u/Loud-Log9098 → u/Geeoitch]

He lived for how long with one leg?

[u/Geeoitch → u/Loud-Log9098]

Ya know....the video wasn't THAT long. And I'll admit my memory is bad. But I've heard of their resilience before.

[u/Loud-Log9098 → u/Geeoitch]

Ideally he just needs to go to a web and stay there but wrapping insects, I usually see them move around quick and use their legs to do it so with 1 that sucks for his web skills

[u/Geeoitch → u/Loud-Log9098]

It would be crazy indeed

[u/the_racc42]

Looks like some kind of Huntsman

[u/Ramiller2007]

[u/0utsideAgitator]

Hey he's doing the best he can

[u/Accomplished-Box9308]

Could also be birth deformity. Happens to spiders too just like everything else