Shame-faced crab (Calappa granulata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Calappa granulata
- Common name
- Shame-faced crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Calappidae
- Genus
- Calappa
- Size
- 8–12 cm
- Depth
- 10–700 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, cryptic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Calappa granulata reaches 12 cm. Crab (Calappidae) Mediterranean and temperate Atlantic very distinctive by its very vaulted yellow-pink red-spotted carapace with two enormous distinctive flat claws covering face like modest mask at rest (hence shame-faced crab/box crab). Lives from 10 to 700 m buried in sand leaving only eyes visible while concealing. Predator of bivalve mollusks whose shells it breaks with its characteristic claws. Highly sought macro photo subject for unique silhouette.
Photo of Shame-faced crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Shame-faced crab?
- Shame-faced crab (Calappa granulata) reaches 8–12 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Shame-faced crab?
- Shame-faced crab is found between 10–700 m deep.
- Is the Shame-faced crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Shame-faced crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Shame-faced crab?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Calappa
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 107268)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5178367)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia