Around the world with decapods

Crabs have an outer shell of calcium carbonate (the same stuff marble is made of) and along with lobsters, shrimps and barnacles, are grouped as crustaceans. They are found on land too, making their appearance during the monsoon.

Most crabs are scavengers, living off detritus. Some eat worms, mussels, snails, and others feed on aquatic plants. Crabs in turn, are eaten by fish, turtles, and octopuses. Thus they form an important link in the food chain.

There are over 4,500 species of crabs and each has its own amusing story to tell. The largest is the spider crab whose claws span a phenomenal 12 ft and the tiniest is the pea crab, barely a few mm long.

In this video, we meet a few fascinating crab species from around the world, each unique in their own way...