The Giant Japanese Spider Crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is the largest living arthropod in the world. In Japan, this crab is known as 'Taka-ashi-gani' which means 'Tall-legged crab. The body can grow up to 40cm long, with a leg span of 3.8m and 19kg in weight!
Manchester Museum’s Giant Japanese Spider Crab was donated by Dr J.H. Ashworth on 19th January 1904 and remains a firm favourite for many museum visitors!
Watch a video about Japanese Spider Crabs filmed at the Osaka Aquarium.
Giant Spider Crabs live on the Pacific side of the Japanese islands of Honshu & Kyushu. In the wild they can live for 50-100 years. According to folklore, Spider Crabs drag sailors underwater & feast on them, however they are scavengers, feeding on carrion, plants and shellfish.
Giant Spider Crabs are considered a delicacy in Japan (eaten raw, salted or cooked) & caught by small trawling nets. Their numbers are decreasing therefore the wild population is restocked artificially & laws prohibit fishing during their mating season.