Friday 23 March 2012

Umbrella Crab

Image: Ken-ichi via Flickr
It's Cryptolithodes sitchensis! The Umbrella Crab! Turtle Crab! Helmet Crab! I think it's pretty clear where they got their names from!

They are a kind of tiny King Crab that lives in the intertidal zone from Alaska to California. If you can find one, all you'll really see is a suspicious stone about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) across. This is their carapace, which extends over their entire body with room spare for their legs and claws.

Image: Ken-ichi via Flickr
Tiny eyes peer through the helmet arches. He's like a little Halfing! Or a Pill Lord.


Umbrella Crabs come in a whole range of colours, from sandy and stony browns to vibrant reds and pinks. Even the more extravagant end of the spectrum serves as camouflage because they feed on a coralline algae which is usually pink or red and encrusts stones.

Image: Ken-ichi via Flickr
With full body armour, camouflage and stationary food, it's a slow and easy life for the most adorable little stone you're ever likely to see. You just have to look really carefully to find one!

7 comments:

Magia da Inês said...

Um animal muito curioso.
Belíssimas imagens.

Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasilº°❤
°º✿
º° ✿ ✿⊱╮

Anonymous said...

These crabs are really adorable! Maybe except for their eyes, which look just too funny, so tiny! :D

Joseph JG said...

@Magia da Inês: Thank you!

@Chloë Langley: I know what you mean about those eyes. It's just too much/not enough!

Crunchy said...

These guys sure do... rock.

:D

Joseph JG said...

Hahahah! Oh dear. That they do.

Porakiya said...

If you haven't already done so, how about making your next blog post about this giant crab: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fKGyKCLnF5k

Joseph JG said...

Ouch! I'll have to do that one soon!