Great Spider Crab

Hyas araneus

The Great Spider Crab, Hyas araneus, is a crustacean belonging to the family Oregoniidae. It is predominantly found in the northeast Atlantic and North Sea, thriving in temperate waters. This species is benthic, often residing on stony and sandy bottoms at depths ranging from less than 1 meter to 360 meters, though it is most commonly encountered at depths less than 50 meters. The Great Spider Crab is known for its ability to moult, shedding its exoskeleton to grow larger. This process leaves it vulnerable to predators until its new shell hardens. Divers may encounter the Great Spider Crab in various habitats, but it is particularly associated with sandy-bottoms. It is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling species that can be identified by its long legs and spider-like appearance. The Great Spider Crab exhibits a precopulatory courtship ritual, utilizing olfactory and tactile cues, and usually engages in indirect sperm transfer. Although it was once introduced to the Southern Ocean, it has not been recorded there since the initial capture in 1986.