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Crab


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Crab
Crab
Crab
Crab
Crab
The crab is a type of crustacean similar to prawns, shrimp and lobster. There are more than 6,700 known species of crab found in waters worldwide and these many crab species are split into around 93 different crab groups.

Most crab species are found in the shallower ocean waters where the crabs tend to inhabit rocky pools and coral reefs. There are however, a number of species of freshwater crab that inhabit the waters in rivers and lakes and some species of tropical crab have been known to spend a great deal of time on land.

Generally crabs dont get bigger than 40 cm in size, with the exception of the Japanese spider crab that has been known to have a leg span of over 4 meters long! The smallest type crab is the pea crab with this tiny species of crab only growing to a few millimeters.

Crabs have a thick armoured shell which protects the crab from immediate danger. The crab also has two front armoured claws which the crab uses to catch its prey.

The crabs hunt by sitting in a dark hole and catching potential prey that swims past. This allows the crab to feed effectively as well as staying hidden from those that would want to eat the crab.

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Crab Facts

Kingdom:
A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....
Animalia
Phylum:
A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....
Arthropoda
Class:
A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....
Crustacea
Order:
A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....
Decapoda
Family:
A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....
Brachyura
Scientific Name:Brachyura
Type:Arthropod
Diet:Carnivore
Size (L):1cm - 400cm (0.4in - 157in)
Weight:100g - 2,000g (3.5oz - 704oz)
Top Speed:19km/h (12mph)
Life Span:1 - 100 years
Lifestyle:Solitary
Conservation Status:
The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...
Threatened
Colour:Red, Brown, Orange, Blue
Skin Type:Shell
Favourite Food:Shrimp
Habitat:
The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...
Coral reefs and coastline
Average Litter Size:2
Main Prey:
When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....
Shrimp, Fish, Mussels
Predators:
When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...
Birds, Otter, Octopus
Distinctive Features:Hard, armoured shell and eight legs

Related Animals

ShrimpShrimp
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!
King CrabKing Crab
Can have a leg span of nearly 2 meters!
LobsterLobster
Have been known to reach 100 years old!
PrawnPrawn
Closely related to crabs and lobsters!
Hermit CrabHermit Crab
There are over 500 different species!
BarnacleBarnacle
Closely related to crabs and lobsters!

 

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