Velvet Swimming Crab

Overview

The Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber) is a highly active and aggressive crustacean found throughout the North-East Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Often referred to as the "devil crab" due to its feisty nature and striking appearance, it is a common sight in rocky coastal environments.

Appearance

This species is easily recognized by its bright red eyes and a shell covered in fine, short hairs that give it a soft, velvety texture. Its carapace is typically a beige to brownish-grey color, while its legs and claws are accented with mottled red-brown patterns and a distinct bluish tinge. Like other swimming crabs, its rearmost pair of legs is flattened into paddle-like structures, allowing it to move swiftly through the water.

Distribution & habitat

Velvet swimming crabs are widely distributed from Norway down to the Western Sahara, including the Mediterranean Sea. They are primarily found in shallow, rocky sublittoral areas and the intertidal zone, often hiding under rocks or stones in rockpools. They show a preference for structurally complex substrates, particularly at night.

Biology & behavior

Known for their defensive and territorial behavior, these crabs will readily strike and grasp if threatened. They are agile, fast-moving hunters that are most active at night. Their lifespan typically ranges from 4 to 6 years.

Feeding

As opportunistic predators and scavengers, they hunt for prey such as prawns, small fish, worms, clams, and sea snails. Their diet also includes a significant amount of algal material.

Reproduction

Mating typically occurs following the female's moult. The male will carry the female beneath him before she moults, protecting her while she is soft. After mating, the female stores sperm in a specialized organ called the spermathecae, allowing her to fertilize her eggs months later.