Poltys Mouhoti is a fascinating arachnid that uses incredible and amazing camouflage to protect itself from predators during the day. It is also known as the Rolled-up Leaf Spider. It is native to Vietnam. But it is also spotted in other Asian countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, the aptly-named rolled-up leaf spider is part of the Poltys genus of spiders, which numbers 43 known sub-species. Most of them have the amazing ability to mimic plant parts as a self-defense mechanism.
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They acquire this self-defense camouflage mechanism by tucking their legs in towards their abdomen and then extending long stem-like appendages outward. Their body has brown and green coloration. And they have a body shape similar to a broken branch. These things enhance the camouflage even more.
Interesting thing is that this rolled-up leaf spider apparently only uses its amazing mimicry as a way to avoid predators. But during the day, it has another strategy for catching prey for food. This arachnid is only active at night. It builds an orb web to catch other insects. Then this spider consumed the web at dawn and then rebuilt after sunset.
When this Poltys Mouhoti Spider is in its active form, it is really exciting to look at. Because it looks like an alien creature from a sci-fi horror movie. It surely doesn’t look like any spider you have ever seen.
Here are some photos of this amazing creature
Ref: Wikipedia, realmonstrosities, blondebrainpower, tumgir, odditycentral
Pic: Wikipedia, realmonstrosities, blondebrainpower, animal2you, pinterest, indiabiodiversity, Richard J. Pearce twitter