Scientists have discovered an eerie new type of crab disguised by hair scraped from other sea creatures. The crab uses the hair to protect itself from other predators, the experts said.
The “fluffy” creature. Instead, they create fur by trimming the live sponges with their claws.
A report in News from USA today said the crab type got a name Lamarckdromia beagle after Charles Darwin’s ship. It belongs to the Dromiidae family, commonly known as sponge crabs.
It was discovered by a family off the coast of Western Australia and they sent it to the local museum for identification, according to a report in the guard†
“The sponge or ascidian just keeps growing and will mold to the shape of the crab’s back,” Dr. Andrew Hosie, a curator of crustaceans and worms at the Western Australian Museum. the guard† “It will never adhere… it forms a nice cap that fits quite closely to the top of the crab.”
The sponges can be larger than the crab itself and also provide a chemical deterrent. “Some of the compounds these sponges produce are very harmful,” said Dr. hosie. “Not many active predators are interested in chewing through a sponge to get to a crab.”
Photos of the fuzzy new species have been circulating on the internet and many users have made hilarious comments about its appearance.
“OMG this adorable teddy bear that looks like sponge crab,” one user tweeted. “I’d die for the fuzzy hat-wearing crab,” said another.
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