Spiny Spider Crab
Fuerteventura Fauna: Take a look at the Spiny Spider Crab that lives in the waters around Fuerteventura.
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Spiny Spider Crab or “Maja Squinado”
An Article by Hannah Mackay with The Voice Fuerteventura
This is is an amazingly distinctive crustacean as its size and incredibly spiky shell render it easily identifiable, with sizes ranging up to a maximum of 5 metres!...Yes you read that right.. 5 Metres in size.. imagine that!
HABITS
Like most other crabs, it’s omnivorous (eating both plants and other animals), however their diet primarily depends on food availability; for example they consume seaweed and molluscs in the winter and sea urchins and sea cucumbers in the summer months. The species usually migrates in the autumn for mating and reproduction and uses chemical pheromones, visual, acoustic and vibratory measures to attract a potential mate.
LIFE CYCLE
The species can cover up to a massive 160km within 8 months. This remarkable distance is linked with the releasing of larvae into open water currents, allowing for the extremely small baby crabs (crab zoea) to be taken by the water movement. This crab has a particular number of life stages, separated by moults (shedding of an old shell). This is done many times before it’s adult stage is reached, as their hard shell prevents any growth. The actual moulting process itself can take many hours, in which they feel extremely vulnerable and exposed!
NICE NEIGHBOURS
The crabs communicate with each other by drumming and waving their pincers, they are also known to work together to provide food and protection for their families. During mating season, to find a comfortable spot for the female to release her eggs, males will fight off intruders. However, neighbouring crabs will never fight each other!
POPULATION DECLINE
There are various threats which the species are facing, which is leading to a decline in populations. These include habitat destruction, pollution and overfishing. Over 5000 tonnes are caught, farmed and consumed each year worldwide.
These crabs are masters of disguise and utilise sea weed to camouflage themselves by attaching it to their outer shells. Next time you are out snorkelling in Fuerteventura and you think it`s just a ball of weed rolling about, look closer as it may well be one of these guys!
