"JAPANESE SPIDER CRAB"

Largest Crab Species

JAPANESE SPIDER CRAB

The Japanese spider crab is a fascinating species that showcases the diversity of marine life and the importance of conservation efforts to protect such unique creatures. They are known for their impressive leg span of up to 12.5 feet and a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. Found primarily in the Pacific waters around Japan . 

• Scientific Name: Macrocheira kaempferi
• APPEARENCE: Look like a spider with long, spiny legs covered in small spikes & have a distinctive appearance with long legs and a carapace that remains the same size after maturity.
• Location: Pacific side of Japan and Taiwan
• Color: Orange and white bodies with long spiny legs
• Weight: Approximately 42 pounds
• Growth: Grow up to a leg span of 12.5 feet (3.7 meters) & Can exceed the width of two adult humans
• LIFE: Estimated to live between 50 to 100 years
• NATURE: Generally calm and slow-moving; they are scavengers and do not actively hunt for prey
• FOOD:Omnivorous, feeding on dead and decaying animals, plant matter, mollusks, shrimp, and small fish.
• REPRODUCTION & REGENERATION :  males transfer the sperm packets to females . They can regrow their lost limbs during molting cycles.
• Largest Recorded Specimen: Known as 'Crabzilla,' measuring over 12 feet across, caught in 2019.

 Overfishing and environmental changes are significant threats to their populations to decrease.