Crab

Depth: 30 m · Sunlight Zone

The crab likes best to walk sideways across the seafloor and carries two claws as both tool and weapon. Its hard shell protects the soft body underneath. If it loses a claw in a fight, a new one simply grows back later.

For scientists

Crabs (Brachyura) are decapod crustaceans with a strongly shortened abdomen tucked under the shell, which gives them their compact build and typical sideways walk. They can regrow lost limbs over several molts (autotomy). To grow, they must regularly shed their exoskeleton of chitin and chalk.

Source: Smithsonian Ocean

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