Difference between revisions of "Crab"
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| − | '''Crabs''' are a large family of decapod [[crustacean]]s. There are hundreds of species, mainly marine, although freshwater species such as the Chinese mitten crab, and land-dwelling species such as the robber crab (which climbs [[coconut]] trees to feed on the | + | [[Image:SallyLightfootCrab.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sally Lightfoot crab]] |
| + | '''Crabs''' are a large family of [[decapod]] [[crustacean]]s. There are hundreds of [[species]], mainly [[marine]], although [[freshwater]] species such as the [[Chinese]] [[mitten crab]], and land-dwelling species such as the [[robber crab]] (which climbs [[coconut]] trees to feed on the [[nut]]s), also exist. | ||
| − | The [[Alaska]]n king crab is the heaviest species of crab, but the [[Japan]]ese spider crab has much longer legs, sometimes spanning ten feet or more. The smallest species of crabs are the pea | + | The [[Alaska]]n [[king crab]] is the heaviest species of crab, but the [[Japan]]ese [[spider crab]] has much longer legs, sometimes spanning ten feet or more.<ref>http://www.vincelewis.net/spider.html</ref> The smallest species of crabs are the [[pea crab]]s, that live as [[commensal]]s inside the shells of many [[bivalve]] [[mollusc]]s. |
| − | Crabs are typically omnivorous, | + | Crabs are typically [[omnivorous]], feeding primarily on [[algae]], but happy to scavenge or capture live prey when available. Crabs are themselves the common prey of many marine [[organism]]s, including [[cod]], [[cuttlefish]] and [[octopus]]es. |
Crabs are an important fishery in many parts of the world. | Crabs are an important fishery in many parts of the world. | ||
| + | The [[horseshoe crab]], ''Limulus'', is not actually a crab, or even a crustacean. | ||
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| + | Crabs were known to the Ancient Greeks, as evidenced by the existence of a crab [[constellation]], Cancer, which is also one of the twelve signs of the [[zodiac]]. | ||
| − | === | + | ==References== |
| − | + | <references/> | |
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[[Category:Crustaceans]] | [[Category:Crustaceans]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Seafood]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Non-Kosher Animals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:47, February 28, 2012
Crabs are a large family of decapod crustaceans. There are hundreds of species, mainly marine, although freshwater species such as the Chinese mitten crab, and land-dwelling species such as the robber crab (which climbs coconut trees to feed on the nuts), also exist.
The Alaskan king crab is the heaviest species of crab, but the Japanese spider crab has much longer legs, sometimes spanning ten feet or more.[1] The smallest species of crabs are the pea crabs, that live as commensals inside the shells of many bivalve molluscs.
Crabs are typically omnivorous, feeding primarily on algae, but happy to scavenge or capture live prey when available. Crabs are themselves the common prey of many marine organisms, including cod, cuttlefish and octopuses.
Crabs are an important fishery in many parts of the world.
The horseshoe crab, Limulus, is not actually a crab, or even a crustacean.
Crabs were known to the Ancient Greeks, as evidenced by the existence of a crab constellation, Cancer, which is also one of the twelve signs of the zodiac.