education

Arrows!

We’re off to meet one more need member of the crab family! This strange looking little creature is one wild crab!

• Arrow crabs live in the tropical oceans near reefs.
• Arrow crabs are carnivores- they eat duster worms and small invertebrates.
• They have long thin legs, with some species that have legs reaching up to 10inches.
• They are also known as the spider crab.
• Males are larger than females.
• Arrow crabs have long thin, bumpy carapaces.

• Arrow crabs are nocturnal.
• They are very territorial.
• Arrow crabs will molt their exoskeleton when they grow larger!

We love these crazy looking crabs! We bet you thought they were a weird spider too! Neat aren’t they?

Three Cheers for Hermit Crabs!

Edmond is cheering for hermit crabs today! Come learn more about these little crustaceans!

H is for Hiding!
Hermit crabs hide in the shells of other animals.

E is for empty! Hermit crabs use the empty shells of gastropods to protect their bodies. When they grow, they must find a larger shell.

R is for respiration! Hermit crabs use gills to breathe!

M is for many species! There are around 1100 species of hermit crabs on earth.

I is for invertebrates! Hermit crabs have no backbones!

T is for terrestrial! Some hermit crabs live on land! While some live in water!

C is for Coconut! The largest terrestrial invertebrate is a hermit crab- the coconut crab!

R is roommates! Some hermit crabs put anemones on their shells for camouflage and protection.

A is for antennae. Hermit crabs have antennae on their head for feeling and sensing their environment.

B is for back in the day. Hermit crabs have been around since the Late Cretaceous period!

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!