Crab Facts
Crabs are cool little creatures that live in the ocean, along the shore, and even in some forests! They have hard, protective shells and ten legs—two of which are big pincers or claws. Crabs use their claws to catch food and to protect themselves. They walk sideways, which is a bit different from most animals, and they can move pretty fast! Crabs love to hide in sand, rocks, and seaweed to stay safe. They eat things like seaweed, small fish, and even other sea animals. Some crabs are very colorful and have interesting patterns on their shells. They are also good at cleaning up the ocean floor by eating dead plants and animals. Watching crabs can be fun and helps us learn about how different creatures live in the sea and on land!
Habitat
Crabs like to live in different places near the water. You can find them on sandy beaches, in rocky tide pools, and along the edges of oceans and rivers. They love to hide under rocks, in seaweed, or in burrows they dig in the sand. Crabs like places where they can stay cool and find food, like tiny fish and plants. Some crabs live in the deep sea, while others can be found in mangroves or marshes. They often come out of their hiding spots when the tide goes out to search for food. Crabs are good at walking sideways and have strong claws to help them dig and protect themselves. By living in these habitats, crabs play an important role in their environment and help keep the coastlines healthy.
Behavior
Crabs are fun sea creatures that love to scuttle sideways along the beach and ocean floor. They have hard shells to protect them and ten legs—eight for walking and two big claws for grabbing food. Crabs use their claws to pick up small fish, seaweed, and other tasty treats. They are very good at digging, and they like to hide in the sand or under rocks to stay safe from predators. Crabs can be found in the ocean, on the beach, or even in some freshwater places. They often come out of their hiding spots to look for food, especially when it’s cooler. Crabs have a special way of moving sideways and can quickly run away if they feel scared. They are important in their habitats because they help clean up the ocean floor!
01.
Shell Growth: Crabs have a hard exoskeleton that doesn't grow with them. They shed this shell (molt) to grow a larger one, vulnerable during the process.
02.
Eyes on Stalks: Their eyes are on stalks that can move in different directions, helping them see predators and prey in many directions.
03.
Clever Camouflage: Many crabs have shells that match their surroundings, helping them blend in and avoid predators.
04.
Various Sizes: Crabs range from tiny pea crabs less than a centimeter across to the Japanese spider crab, with legs that span over 3 meters.
05.
Pincer Power: Crabs use their pincers (claws) for everything from eating to fighting, with different species having various sizes and shapes of claws adapted to their lifestyles.
06.
Some species of crabs, like the coconut crab, can climb trees to crack open coconuts with their powerful claws!