long-beaked spider crab

The long-beaked spider crab (Macropodia rostrata) is a species of spider crab belonging to the family Majidae. These crabs are characterized by their thick, rounded bodies and long, spindly legs, making them slow-moving scavengers. The long-beaked spider crab itself is quite small, with a body diameter of about 1 cm (less than 0.5 inch).1

Spider crabs, in general, have a beak-shaped head and a body surface often covered in algae and sponges for camouflage. They are found in marine environments worldwide and are sometimes fished commercially. The largest known spider crab is the giant crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) of Japan, which can have a leg span of over 4 meters (13 feet). It is important to note that horseshoe crabs, despite their name, are not true crabs but are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.123