Oh, hello…
via bbc.uk.co
Hallelujah. In your face Kreb.
(via frumpytaco)
Molting Porcelain Crab on Sea Cucumber
The Japanese spider crab (タカアシガニ（高脚蟹）, takaashigani, lit. “tall-footed crab”), Macrocheira kaempferi, is a species of marine crab that lives in the waters around Japan. It has the largest leg span of any arthropod, reaching up to 3.8 metres (12 ft) and weighing up to 41 pounds (19 kg). It is the subject of small-scale fishery.
The Japanese spider crab has the greatest leg span of any arthropod, reaching 3.8 metres (12 ft) from claw to claw. The body may grow to a size of 40 cm or 16 in (carapace width) and the whole crab can weigh up to 41 pounds (19 kg).The males have the longest chelipeds; females have much shorter chelipeds, which are shorter than the following pair of legs. Apart from its outstanding size, the Japanese spider crab differs from other crabs in a number of ways. The first pleopods of males are unusually twisted, and its larvae appear primitive. The crab is orange, with white spots along the legs. It is reported to have a gentle disposition “in spite of its ferocious appearance”. (read more)
WHOA
A crab with outstretched arms about 8 inches across, which are only observed living on soft coral. Image captured August 5, 2010 by the Little Hercules ROV at 704 meters depth on a new seamount mapped by Baruna Jaya IV during the INDEX SATAL 2010 Expedition.
Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, INDEX-SATAL 2010.
Why did the crab cross the road?
The Christmas Island red crabs (Gecarcoidea natalis) climb over an overpass to cross a road on Christmas Island during their migration.
These crabs live in burrows in the rainforest and when the wet season starts and the tide is right, over 65 million crabs start their mass synchronized 8km migration to lay their eggs in the sea. The crabs are single minded on their mission, with little care for obstacles such as car wheels. Handy then that they are getting a little help :)
WTF crustaceans. You’re just showing off now Pseudocarcinus gigas and you don’t even look happy about it. To be fair though, you do live 140–270 metres deep, I’d be pretty grumpy too.Giant Crabs from Tasmania Australia
How to move house like a boss hermit crab
I have never had an arthropod make me giggle so much! Also, having never seen the process before, I’m fascinated by the unexpected grace of the hermit crab.
Hermit Crabs [superfamily Paguroidea] aren’t “true” crabs [infraorder Brachyura]. They lack a complete exoskeleton, their abdomen is squidgy [hence the need for a shell], and are more closely related to squat lobsters and porcelain crabs.
Orang Utan Crab (Achaeus japonicus)
© MAAMB
Masters of camouflage, until the red eye gets you, the Orang Utan crab is covered in thick red hairs resembling red algae. Additions to the ‘fur’ may be added for extra camouflage!
Spiny Porcelain Crab (Neopetrolisthes spinatus)
Porcelain crabs are filter feeders. They have feather-like mouthpart appendages (third maxillipeds) that they wave about to capture planktonic food.
