Japanese Spider Crab
The Japanese Spider Crab is the largest arthropod known to man and can grow – unbelievably – to the size of a mini! Yes! Their leg span can be as wide as 4 metres!
Our Japanese spider crabs are bright orange, with white spots along its legs. Although it looks terrifyingly big, it is actually a gentle animal. In its natural habitat the Japanese Spider Crab feeds on shellfish and animal carcasses and may live to be 100 years old!
The Japanese Spider Crab is part of our 2012 special exhibit "Claws" >
Things to Do
- See the biggest species of crab in the world
- Find out where they like to live
- Guess how big their legs are
- Learn about the threats that face these giant beasts