Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Tasmanian Giant Crab
Tasmanian Giant Crab or "Pseudocarcinus gigas"
The Tasmanian giant crab, Pseudocarcinus gigas (sometimes known as the giant deepwater crab, giant southern crab or queen crab) is a very large species of crab that resides in the southern waters of Australia on the edge of the continental shelf at depths of 20–820 metres (66–2,690 ft), but mostly 140–270 metres (460–890 ft).
The Tasmanian giant crab is one of the largest crabs in the world, reaching a mass of 13 kilograms (29 lb) and a carapace width of up to 46 centimetres (18 in). It is the only species in the genus Pseudocarcinus. Males reach more than twice the size of females. It has a white shell with claws that are splashed in red.
The females' shells change colour when they are producing eggs. The Tasmanian giant crab feeds on slow-moving species such as gastropods, crustaceans and starfish. They breed in June and July, and the female carries the 0.5–2 million eggs for about four months.
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