Japanese spider crab - the largest crustacean in the world

Crabs, crayfish and shrimp are the closest relatives of this giant crab. But the Japanese spider crab, which lives exclusively off the coast of Japan, reaches incredible sizes - more than 3 meters wide (more precisely in the scope of the first pair of legs) and weighs up to 40 kilograms.

The Japanese spider crab received the prefix "spider" in the name because of its unusual appearance, although it refers to crustaceans, not arachnids, and is part of the order of decapod crayfish. This species was first described by a Dutch zoologist at the beginning of the 19th century, and Japanese spider crabs are still found in abundance off the coast of the Japanese archipelago. Due to their enormous size and original appearance, they are often included in the collections of aquariums, where they cause constant interest among visitors.

But fishermen value young individuals more, which, although they do not have huge sizes, but their meat is more tender and pleasant to taste.

Crabs live at a depth of 200-300 meters, and in shallow water they are almost never found. Like other crabs, the Japanese spider crab feeds on small marine life such as mollusks, crustaceans, and organic debris. These crabs live on average up to 50 years, and individual individuals, according to scientists, can celebrate their 100th anniversary.

The size of the carapace (continuous shield covering the body from above) in this species reaches 35-45 centimeters, and the length of the body, taking into account the straightened legs, often exceeds 2.5-3 meters.