Spider Crabs
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The family known as Spider Crabs (Majidae) consists of receive their name based on their rough looking, pear-shaped body and long legs.
The picture shows a spider crab probably in the Libinia genus, and common to the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
The shell looks to be covered in algae and barnacles, a typical appearance, which gives rise to its nickname, decorator crab. Many spider crab species cover their body with materials in their habitat as camouflage to avoid predators.
© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels