The World's Largest Crab

The Japanese Spider Crab is the world's largest crab, with a leg span of up to 3.8 meters and a weight of up to 19 kilograms. It is found in the waters around Japan, where it is known as the "taka-ashi-gani", which means "tall legs crab".

The Japanese Spider Crab is a deep-sea dweller, living at depths of up to 600 meters. It has a hard exoskeleton that protects it from predators, as well as sharp claws that it uses to catch prey. Its diet primarily consists of mollusks and crustaceans.

The Japanese Spider Crab has a long lifespan, with some individuals living for up to 100 years. They reach sexual maturity at around 12 years of age and mate annually in the breeding season, which takes place between January and March.

Despite its size, the Japanese Spider Crab is not considered a threat to humans. It is often caught by fishermen and considered a delicacy in Japan, where it is served in various dishes. However, due to overfishing and habitat destruction, the population of the Japanese Spider Crab has declined in recent years, leading to efforts to protect and conserve the species.