Species · GBIF taxon 5729749
Japanese Spider Crab
Macrocheira kaempferiAlso known as Giant Japanese Spider Crab, Tall-Legged Crab
Japanese spider crabs are the undisputed giants of the arthropod world, boasting spindly legs that can span more than twelve feet across. These slow-moving giants patrol the dark, near-freezing depths of the Pacific Ocean floor, scavenging for decaying animal matter and slow-moving invertebrates. Younger individuals actively decorate their bumpy carapaces with sponges and anemones to hide from predators, a camouflage habit they outgrow as they reach their massive adult size.
Deep SeaGiantBenthic
Licensed reference(c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Dead fish
- Mollusks
- Algae
Predators
- Large sharks
- Octopuses
- Humans
ThreatsOverfishing, accidental bycatch in bottom trawls, and habitat degradation
HabitatsDeep-sea sandy and muddy ocean floors
Life spanUp to 100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMacrocheiridae
- SpeciesMacrocheira kaempferi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Powerful claws can inflict a painful pinch if handled; observe from a safe distance.
- What to notice
- Distinguished by their orange bodies with white spots and incredibly long, spindly legs.
- Support conservation
- Support sustainable fisheries and marine conservation initiatives that protect deep-sea benthic habitats.
Responsible observation
- Aquarium Viewing: Look for them in specialized deep-sea exhibits where they are kept in chilled, dimly lit tanks.
- Camouflage Spotting: Observe younger individuals closely to see how they attach sponges to their shells for protection.
Frequent Companion 
Close Relative (c) Totti, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) BuceoPortosub, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.