11/14/2025
The Japanese spider crab is the world's largest living arthropod, known for its massive leg span of up to 12 feet (3.7 meters). These gentle, omnivorous scavengers live in the deep waters off Japan's Pacific coast and have a lifespan of up to 100 years. They are characterized by their orange bodies, long legs, and a tendency to decorate their shells with objects for camouflage.
They have a leg span of up to 12 feet (3.7 meters) from claw to claw, making it the largest arthropod.
Body: The carapace (body) can be up to 12 inches (30 cm) across and they can weigh up to 44 pounds (20 kg).
They have an orange body with white spots on their ten legs—eight walking legs and two large claws (chelipeds).
They are found on the seafloor along Japan's Pacific coast, from the continental shelf in depths of over 1,600 feet (500 meters).
Despite their intimidating appearance, they are gentle and calm. They are not strong swimmers and spend their time crawling on the seabed.
Younger crabs often attach sponges, algae, and other objects to their shells to blend in with their surroundings.
They eat a variety of food, including shellfish, dead animals, algae, and plants, using their powerful claws to pry open shells or scrape food from the ocean floor.
They can live for up to 100 years and migrate to shallower waters to breed in the spring. The Japanese government has banned fishing during this time to protect the population.
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