Name: Giant spider crab
Scientific Name: Macrocheira kaempferi (Kaempfer, 1690)
Family: Majidae
Group: Crabs, shrimps and other small critters
Class: Invertebrates
Size: 201-400 cm.
The giant spider crabs are the largest known crustaceans. Although its shell is no longer than 30 centimetres, each of an adult's feet may measure up to 1.8 metres, giving it a span of 3.6 metres and a weight of 18 kilos. Its life span is also impressive, since they can live to be more than 50 years old. The young crabs' sweetish meat is the most appreciated and sought after by fishermen. So, since this species only breeds 10 years after they have been born, most of the individuals are caught too early. This fact seriously threatens the future of these enigmatic creatures. This species is endemic to the southeast coast of Japan where it can be found from 50 to 360 metres below the water. It captures molluscs, fish and crustaceans, but it is also a scavenger.
Photo by:
Abílio Leitão
Deep sea animals
