Past its shell life at Hunny
POPULAR rock pool talks at Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary are about to take a new twist thanks to one of the centre's giant Japanese spider crabs.
One of the many fascinating facts which marine experts love to impart on visitors is the way in which crabs have to moult their shells as they grow.
Now they can illustrate the point with a perfectly preserved shell of a giant Japanese spider crab, which was neatly shed with the long delicate legs completely intact.
Aquarist Robert Meyer said: "The Japanese spider crabs do not moult very often and, on the rare occasion when it has happened in aquarium displays, the old shells tend to get trashed very quickly by the other occupants.
"We were amazed when we found this one freshly moulted in such perfect condition."
The shell will now be mounted on a display board for use in the rock pool talks.
The former owner has now got a slightly larger shell and has emerged from hiding to resume feeding.
The Japanese spider crab is the largest crab species in the world and can grow to more than three metres from claw to claw, which is big enough to span the average saloon car.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -5 C to 0 C
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