•  The Japanese Spider Crab, or scientifically known as the Macrocheira kaempferi, is the largest known arthropod. Although its small 30cm tall, 40cm long body only weighs about 45 pounds, it is its amazing 13 foot leg span that strikes fear.
  • The spider crab is orange with white-spotted legs. It has 10 appendages (8 are legs, 2 are arms). It uses its long arms to feed on prey. Unlike the symmetric females, males' arms are longer than its legs.
  • The Japanese Spider Crab's age is determined by the length of the two frontal horns and presence of thorns and hair on the shell. Unlike most other organisms, longer horns, hair, and thorns are present in younger organisms. The spider crab has a surprising long life expectancy for an arthropod: 100 years.
  • Phylum: Arthopoda
  • Class: Malacostraca
  • Order: Decapoda
  • Suborder: Pleocyemata
  • Family: Majidae
  • Genus: Macrocheira
  • Species: Kaempferi
  • The Japanese Spider Crab is located in the Pacific side of Japan (obviously) at depths of 150 to 800 meters (more commonly 200 to 300 meters). It's diet consists of decomposed remains and shellfish. During spring time, mating season begins. The spider crabs lay their eggs in regions as shallow as 50m. Due to their shrinking number, it is prohibited to catch them during spring. 
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