THAT IS ONE BIG CRAB!

THAT IS ONE BIG CRAB!

We’re crabby here at the University this week! Hahaha! We’re meeting members of the arthropod family!

Today we’re meeting a big ocean dwelling crab today!

Japanese Spider Crab Fun Facts:

• Japanese Spider Crabs live in the deep depths of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan.
• Their bodies can be 15″ in diameter and their legs can reach up to 15ft in diameter! They can weigh up to 44 lbs.
• They are listed as data deficient by the IUCN.
• They are omnivores and eat algae, mollusks and carrion.
• Japanese spider crabs are one of the largest members of the arthropod family.
• They are thought to live up to 100 years old.

• Japanese spider crabs are members of the decorator crab family and attach anemones or sponges to the top shell (carapace) to help them camouflage.
• They have hard bumpy exoskeletons that help protect them from predators.
• Like other arthropods, Japanese spider crabs molt those exoskeletons when they grow.

We can’t say that Japanese spider crabs are the cutest animals we’ve ever met… but they are amazing! They live in such deep parts of the ocean that it is fairly dark! The ocean is full of wild animals! Hehehe!