I was amazed the first time I saw a Japanese Spider Crab at the Manila Ocean Park's Oceanarium---I never thought crabs could grow so big. The orange body of this spider crab is about the size of a child's head. I encountered these gentle giants the second time around when I visited the Cold Water Quest Gallery of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta last August.
These giant crabs live on the seafloor of the Pacific Ocean near the Japanese archipelago, at the depths of 150 to 1000 feet where it is very dark and cold which makes them difficult to capture. It is believed that they can live as long as 100 years. This crab is a scavenger that feeds on dead animal and plant materials. Its small, pointed claws can also pry open shells of mollusks. An adult Japanese spider crab can grow up to 12 feet across (with legs spread out) and its body at 15 inches wide, the largest living arthropod (group of animals that includes crabs, shrimps, insects and spiders). After molting, the crab will consume its former shell in order to recover important nutrients. (Sources: Georgia Aquarium and Wikipedia)
These giant crabs live on the seafloor of the Pacific Ocean near the Japanese archipelago, at the depths of 150 to 1000 feet where it is very dark and cold which makes them difficult to capture. It is believed that they can live as long as 100 years. This crab is a scavenger that feeds on dead animal and plant materials. Its small, pointed claws can also pry open shells of mollusks. An adult Japanese spider crab can grow up to 12 feet across (with legs spread out) and its body at 15 inches wide, the largest living arthropod (group of animals that includes crabs, shrimps, insects and spiders). After molting, the crab will consume its former shell in order to recover important nutrients. (Sources: Georgia Aquarium and Wikipedia)
Amazing facts...good they are well hidden in the depth of the sea... or the humans would eat them...
ReplyDeleteThat is one humongous crab!
ReplyDeletei was thinking of posting a spider crab too taken at the manila ocean park :)
ReplyDeletehappy weekend
I saw this in one of the food surprise cookout some time back... It's huge!
ReplyDeletehttp://crizcats.blogspot.com/
Wow I've never seen those crabs before. They are beauties! Happy weekend
ReplyDeleteNice choice of this week's theme!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Nita
We have a Underwater World in Singapore where there is a section on crabs. Some are gigantic!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they live deep in the ocean. They look cool but kinda scary consider their size.
ReplyDeleteMy Orange is up.
i think if i have to give a prize for best photohunters post this week, i would give it to you for this post.
ReplyDeleteI believe I are them, but have never seen them alive in their environment. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
amazing indeed!!
ReplyDeletewhy dont you bring fritz over to Pet Pride
Great crabs!
ReplyDeleteChristina, Sweden
http://christinas365foton2009.blogspot.com/search/label/Photo%20Hunt
This was such a good post. Interesting to learn about the crab and also a great shot for the theme. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeletethat's a cool shot. my photo hunt is here Thanks
ReplyDeleteI've never seen those crabs before.
ReplyDeleteBeauties!
How interesting, I had no idea they would be so big! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit earlier. :)
As big as a child's head? OMG!
ReplyDelete12 feet? Wow!
ReplyDeleteREally amazing sight. I love going to aquariums.
ReplyDeleteAmazing no? I never got the chance to visit our oceanpark, was glad though we were able to take the kids sa Singapore...they enjoyed watching the creatures much!
ReplyDeleteVery cool orange crabs species you've found :)
ReplyDelete