Page 93 - Caribbean Reef Life Demo

Sponge crabs have a uni ue method of camou age. Some can cut down entire sponges and fashion a hole that allows them to wear the sponge like a hat. The front claws are modi ed as shears for slicing into sponge tissue, while the back legs hold the sponge rmly in place. Other crabs will only cut off sections of living sponge, usually from near the rim where most of the growing cells are located. This sponge tissue continues to grow along with the crab, often covering it completely. This can make it dif cult to identify the different species while diving. They are most active at night.
RED EYE SPONGE CRAB (Dromia erythropus) < 10 cm / 4 in ome sha ed ristled cara ace ith a distincti e dar blotch in the middle. Robust claws are tipped in red.
HAIRY SPONGE CRAB (Moreiradromia antillensis) < 6.5 cm / 2.5 in mall dense s ines co er the entire od and al in le s. istincti e small red e es on short ale stal s.
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