C sapidus is a decapod crab of the swimming crab family Portunidae The genus Callinectes is distinguished from other portunid crabs by the lack of an internal cartilaginous spine on the carpus (the middle segment of the claw), as well as by the Tshape of the male abdomen Blue crabs may grow to a carapace width of 23 cm (9 in) C sapidus individuals exhibit sexual dimorphism In fact, the Japanese spider crab is believed to favor eating the bodies of other marine animals because it means they don't have to kill anything themselves 38 Squirrelfish Wild Horizon Getty ImagesIntimate stories and surprising truths about nature, science and the human experience in a podcast the size of the planet Subscribe Apple Spotify Acast From The Store More from the store BBC Earth newsletter BBC Earth delivered direct to your inbox
Spider Crabs Make A Scientific Splash Point Defiance Zoo Aquarium
