Image 8-13
Deep Sea Lithodid Crab

This image of a deep sea crab was captured by NOAA researchers in the Gulf of Mexico during the Okeanos Explorer Program in 2012. This crab is a species of Lithodid Crab which is a type of king crab. King crabs are different from most other crabs. They are more closely related to hermit crabs and have similar characteristics. Their abdomens are twisted to one side, they have large right-handed claws, and their legs fold backwards, instead of forwards. They are able to walk forwards instead of sideways like most other crab species.