This Giant Crab Of The Deep Sea Can Live Up to 100 Years

The Japanese Spider Crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) have long been considered the wonder of the ocean, for not only their huge size but also their unusual appearance and behavior. This big crustacean lives inside the deep water, a dream of marine enthusiasts and scientists alike. But how big can these crabs get? What do they eat? Do they pose any danger to humans? This exhaustive guide takes you into the dimensions of the Japanese Spider Crab: from Size and Diet to Habitat, Lifespan, and so on. Letting unravel the biggest crab in the world revolves around secret revelations.

Japanese Spider Crab Size: The Ocean’s Largest Arthropod

As far as size goes, the Japanese Spider Crab boasts the title of the largest crustacean. These giants are capable of stretches of nearly 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) from claw to claw, rendering them the largest arthropods ever to exist. While their legs are enormous, their body spans a comparatively modest 15 inches (37 cm) in cross-section. These crabs can weigh up to 44 pounds (20 kg), meaning they are not only long-legged but also heavy.

Japanese Spider Crab Price: A Delicious Dish for Big Bucks

Due to their size and on the rarity side, Japanese spider crabs are seen as delicacies in some places all over Japan. The price ranges between 100 and 500 dollars a crab, depending on its size and market demand. Of course, scarcity is not only the reason behind this - it also goes through the level of difficulty in catching such crabs deep underwater.

Can Japanese Spider Crabs Kill You?

The Japanese spider crab has the most impressive appearance, but it is not aggressive with humans. It is a scavenger and doesn't predate like a predator; rather, it functions as a cleaner at the bottom of the ocean. However, strong claws can cause serious injury if used the wrong way. As always with wild animals, respect their space.

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Japanese Spider Crab Lifespan: Longevity Beneath the Waves

These ocean giants prove equally noteworthy for their longevity. Japanese Spider Crabs can survive up to 100 years, making them one of the most enduring of all crab species. Such long life shows the adaptability and durability of the species even in the dark, forbidding deep sea.

Japanese Spider Crab Diet: Nature’s Cleaners

Japanese Spider Crabs are opportunistic scavengers. Their diet consists mainly of dead fish, molluscs, algae, and other decomposing organic matter from the sea floor. By consuming decomposing material, they play an important role in maintaining the marine ecosystem’s health.

Japanese Spider Crab Habitat: Home in the Depths

These crabs are found in the Pacific Ocean, mostly around Japan, particularly near Honshu and Kyushu islands. These crabs can be found lying between the depths of 150 and 800 meters (490-2620 feet), where the temperature of the waters is preferably low. Scarifying the areas would give them cover from predators along with a most abundant source for their food.

Image Credit: Wikimedia

Top 10 Biggest Crabs in the World

1. Japanese Spider Crab: The largest, with a leg span of up to 12.5 feet.

2. Tasmanian Giant Crab: Weighs up to 39 pounds.

3. Coconut Crab: Known for climbing trees and breaking coconuts.

4. Alaskan King Crab: A popular seafood choice, with up to 5 feet of leg span.

5. Giant Hermit Crab: Uses their large shells to protect themselves from other predators

6. Horsehair Crab: Found in cold waters, valued for its taste.

7. Dungeness Crab: Famous in North America for its sweet meat.

8. Snow Crab: Known for its long legs and tender flesh.

9. Blue Crab: Iconic in the Chesapeake Bay region.

10. Mud Crab: Found in the mangroves and are highly prized for their rich taste.

FAQs

1. How do Japanese Spider Crabs defend themselves?
Japanese Spider Crabs use their long and thin legs along with very sharp sword-like claws to fend off predators. They mostly camouflage themselves with their surrounding rocky seabed in terms of their appearance.

2. Do Japanese Spider Crabs migrate?
Yes, during the breeding season, they migrate to shallower waters, usually in the spring, to lay their eggs.

3. Are Japanese Spider Crabs endangered?
They haven't been termed endangered, but their numbers have been threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are needed to protect these unique creatures.

4. Can Japanese Spider Crabs live in aquariums?
They are large, deep-water scavengers, and so making aquaria for them is a problem. Requirements are vast tanks sufficiently larger than most home aquariums, cool, well-oxygenated water, and a diet that mimics their natural scavenging behavior.

Conclusion

An extremely large crab that plays a very important role in nature is the Japanese spider crab. Its stature will amaze you; its legs can reach huge heights, and as a deep-sea cleaner, it makes up a vital component of the unique marine world. Such creatures-easy to view but not so easy to approach-will always be intimidated by what they seem to become. Their contribution to the health of oceans is beyond question. Whether one is a marine enthusiast or simply curious about the ocean's giants, one should learn about the Japanese spider crab.