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Photographer:
Museum Victoria
Source:
Museum Victoria
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Crabs
Class: Crustacea
Phylum: Arthropoda
Order: Decapoda
Description:
Vary widely in shapes and sizes. Can grow as large as 3.6m (leg-span). Most are wider than they are long. Four pairs of walking legs enable them to walk and run sideways, and to burrow. All have a pair of chelipeds (limbs with claws or pincers). Many have a hard shell that protects the thorax, called a carapace. Found in marine and freshwater environments. Crabs may be either scavengers or predators. Diet may include seaweed, mussels, snails and other crabs. Predators include fish, octopus, birds and other crabs. |
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