Spider Crab

Libinia emarginata

Image by ‘Joey’ on Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Physical: The carapace length of the Spider Crab can reach up to 3.5 inches, and is often coated in algae or other growth.  Leg span can be up to 30 cm.  Spider Crabs are walking crabs, with no swimming appendages and very weak claws.

Habitat: L. emarginata burrow into sediments to seek refuge; they are slow moving and relatively defenseless against predators. They coat their carapace with algae.

Feeding: L. emarginata are slow scavengers that generally only hunt and eat smaller organisms.

Breeding: Fertilization of the female spider crab is internal.  Afterwards, the female forms a sponge on her apron and carries the eggs to term, which is approximately two weeks.

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