Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Japanese Spider Crab Macrocheira kaempferi
Not only is the giant Japanese spider crab the largest of all crabs, with a leg-span of up to 13 ft (4 m) and weighing 35–44 lb (16–20 kg), it may also be the longest living, surviving for up to 100 years. Living in the deep, cold waters around Japan, this crab moves slowly across the ocean floor on its spiderlike legs, scavenging for food.
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- Subphylum Crustacea
- Width_shell Up to 14 in (37 cm)
- Habitat Deep-water vents and holes to depths of 160–1,000 ft (50–300 m)
- Distribution Pacific Ocean near Japan
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