The Greater Spiny Crab (Maja brachydactyla) is a marine (saltwater) crustacean in the Majidae family of crabs. It is a majid crab. It is also called a Sea Spider.
The Greater Spider Crab is almost triangular in shape with an olive-khaki-green exo-skeleton (shell) called a carapace. The carapace is covered in spines called tubercles. It has 10 orange legs.
The Greater Spider Crab walks forward – unlike most crabs that walk sideways.
Its body grows to about 10 centimetres (4 inches) wide. Its legs are about 30 centimetres (12 inches) long.
It is common in the waters around Europe. It prefers temperate waters.
The female lays eggs that hatch after about 25 days. They hatch into larvae.
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM