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The Spiny Spider Crab is Ireland ’s largest native crab; large adult males can have a claw span of nearly a metre! They are common round most of the coast, except the colder northern counties, and live in surprising shallow waters, often only a few feet deep. It is possible to come across colonies of them, including some very large males, while snorkelling off sandy beaches. They are quite delicate looking, but don’t let this fool you, as these crabs, particularly the males, have improbably powerful claws. And they are double jointed, so where as it is perfectly safe to hold most other crabs, and even Lobsters, by grasping them on either side of their shell, with the Spider Crab this usually results in the crab simply reaching over its back and inflicting a nasty nip! Spider Crabs are solitary animals, but during the mating season they can come together in large numbers, creating unsightly mounds of mating Crabs! Spider Crabs are unusual for crustaceans, as once they have reached maturity they stop moulting, and so stop growing. So a 10 year old Spiny Spider Crab is just the same size as a 5 year old one! |
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| Fishy Facts | |||
| Name: | Spiny Spider Crab | Size: | Up to 80cm from tip to tip of claws |
| Other Name(s) : | Common Spider Crab | Weight: | 3kg |
| Irish Name : | Portán Faoilinne Spionach | Lifespan: | 10 years |
| Scientific Name : | Maja squinado | Habitat: | Sandy shallow sea-beds around coastal regions |
| Edible: | Yes- fished for tasty claw meat. |
Where in Ireland is it found?: | Around all southern and western coasts, and some on eastern coasts. Less common on colder northern coasts |
| Food: Scavenge on scraps but will also feed on mussels and other shellfish |
Interesting Fact : Where as males have large, powerful claws, the smaller females have much smaller, less mobile claws, and are more vulnerable to attack from predators such as Lobsters. |
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