Giant Japanese spider crab – facts and photos

Crabs and spiders have a number of common features, but there are creatures in the wild possessing both those animals’ traits. So, there is a giant Japanese spider crab as well as a tiny camouflage master crab arthropod.

Spooky Sea-Living Monsters

Giant Japanese spider crab is the largest arthropod’s representative. It’s got a resemblance with an awkward looking arachnid. German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer was first to describe it in the 17th century giving the creature a scientific name Macrocheira Kaempferi, which means “a long-legged crab”. The monster is 4 meters with its stretched legs, while the body is rather compact – just about 40 cm in adult species. Little is known about the huge marine dwellers as they tend to hide in the depths of 500 meters. They inhabit warm Pacific area near Japan. They don’t cause any harm to humans unless being bothered. In this case, the creature can injure its offender with sharp claws, which are placed at the ends of long front legs.

At the same time, a giant spider’s meat is edible. Though only young species are considered delicious and are therefore endangered.

These marine representatives appear to be real centenarians because they can live for about 100 years.

They inhabit warm Pacific area near Japan.

Crab Spiders Living Ashore

Opposite to the solid siblings, crab spiders are rather miniature. They are more studied and own several specific traits. Namely, all the species have a crab-like appearance. First, two pairs of legs are longer than the others. They use front legs to catch the prey. When threatened, crab looking spiders flee sideways or can even wave their claws.

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The Thomisidae neither spin webs nor chase a victim. On the contrary, they occupy a plant, startlingly mimicking the spot color. When the prey appears rather near, the predator grabs it and injects a lethal dose of poison. So, white crab spiders tend to hunt in plants that match their color. Flower crab imitator needs more than 10 days to change the shade of its body into the corresponding one.

They use front legs to catch the prey.

The tiny arthropods possess a poison to kill their prey. If it manages to prick a human skin, there will be the only danger such as an allergic reaction in some individuals and in this case the wounded place will demand proper medical care. In other situations, the bites are not dangerous.