Nature & Environment

World's largest crab filmed emerging from shell

By T.K. Randall
February 10, 2019

Image: Japanese Spider Crab
Credit: Takashi Hososhima / CC BY-SA 2.0 (adapted) With a leg span of up to 18ft - the largest of any arthropod - these gargantuan crustaceans, which are found (as their name suggests) in the ocean off the coast of Japan, are quite the spectacle.

This particular specimen, which is kept at SeaWorld San Diego, was recently captured on camera doing something remarkable - shedding its entire shell.

The process, which took around six hours, saw the creature slowly and carefully squeeze itself out of the top part of the shell, emerging in to the tank a vibrant red color.Its old shell remained completely intact, making it look as though the crab had duplicated itself.

"It's a perfectly natural occurrence for a spider crab," said aquarium curator Mike Price.

"For us as marine scientists to be able to witness Mother Nature in action in such an impressive way, that's a great day at SeaWorld!"


Source: Shropshire Star

Tags: Japanese Spider Crab