The Japanese spider crab holds the title of the world’s largest crab.
It boasts an impressive leg span of up to 12 feet, a carapace width reaching 16 inches, and a weight that can reach a whopping 42 pounds.
In this article, we’ll delve into this remarkable species, its unique features, and its habitat.
Biggest Crab In The World: The Japanese Crab
The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) holds the world record as the largest crab, boasting a leg span of up to 12 feet and a carapace width of 16 inches.
Remarkably, it can weigh up to 42 pounds, making it the heaviest living arthropod.
These giants inhabit the deep waters along the Japanese coast.
They display their omnivorous appetite, consuming a variety of plants and animals such as mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
While Japanese spider crabs aren’t currently considered threatened, they face potential risks from overfishing and habitat loss.
Additionally, they sometimes become unintended catches in fishing nets.
Interesting facts about Japanese spider crabs
- They hold the record for the world’s largest leg span among arthropods, reaching up to 12 feet (3.8 meters) from claw to claw.
- Small spikes cover their legs, believed to serve the purpose of camouflaging and self-protection against predators.
- Their carapace (main body cavity) remains relatively small, measuring just about 12 inches (30 centimeters) across.
- Their legs continue growing throughout their lives, even after reaching adulthood.
- Japanese spider crabs can have a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 years.
- Female Japanese spider crabs have the capability to lay up to 1.5 million eggs in a single batch. Only a small fraction of these eggs will survive to adulthood.
- They are omnivorous in nature and consume a diverse diet.
- As scavengers, they feed on dead or decaying organic matter.
- Playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems, Japanese spider crabs contribute to cleaning the ocean floor and removing deceased or decomposing materials.
Biggest Crab In The World: Where are Japanese crabs found?
In the deep waters along the coast of Japan, Japanese spider crabs actively inhabit and exhibit omnivorous behavior, consuming plants and animals such as mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
While not currently threatened, they face vulnerability due to overfishing, habitat loss, and occasional bycatch in fishing nets.
Other Large Crab Species
- Tasmanian giant crab (Pseudocarcinus genus)
- Giant mud crab (Scylla serrata)
- Red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
- Coconut crab (Birgus latro)
Fun facts about biggest crab in the world
- They are known as “tall leg crabs” in Japanese.
- They are an important part of Japanese culture and folklore.
- They can live in depths of up to 1,640 feet (500 meters).
- They are slow swimmers and move by walking on the ocean floor.
- If they lose their legs, they have the ability to regenerate them.
