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Japanese Spider Crab

Japanese Spider Crab

Macrocheira kaempferi (Temminck, 1836)
The Japanese spider crab is the largest crab of the world and the biggest among arthropods. It can reach around 4.2 meters and weigh 20 kg as presently recorded. It is mainly distributed over the coasts of Japan and occasionally in the northeast sea area of Taiwan. It dwells in the area with water as deep as about 400 meters. It resembles the king crab, but in fact they belong to different families.

This species is living in groups. They compete with pincers. The winner gains the right to rest on the rocks, ruthlessly kicking those low-ranking crabs bold enough to top. In contrast to normal crabs with a life span of only three years, the Japanese spider crab can live for more than a hundred years.