What are Yeti crabs related to?
The Yeti crab is a distant relative to the hermit crabs commonly seen lurking in tide pools. Ever since deep-sea hydrothermal vents were first discovered in the late 1970s, marine biologists have been fascinated by the unique animals that live in these areas.
Why do Yeti crabs have hair?
Yeti Crabs live in the deep oceans, in hydrothermal vents, which are deep within the ocean. These vents provide hot water which makes up the environment where these crabs live. The crabs regulate their ecosystem by using their hairy arms to collect toxins released from the hydrothermal vents.
Who are the Predators of the yeti crab?
What are Yeti Crab Predators: Octopus and fish are considered as the primary predators of the yeti crab. Interesting Yeti Crab Facts: • The species have three nicknames that are often used instead of their actual name- yeti crab, yeti lobster, and furry lobster.
Where did the yeti crab get its name?
(1) The Yeti Crab or Kiwa hirsuta was discovered as late as 2005 on a hydrothermal vent along the Easter Island. They are related to the hermit crabs which are common. (2) The name Kiwa comes after the goddess of shellfish in Polynesian mythology.
How big is the Kiwa hirsuta yeti crab?
Kiwa hirsuta is a crustacean discovered in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. This decapod, which is approximately 15 cm (5.9 in) long, is notable for the quantity of silky blond setae (resembling fur) covering its pereiopods (thoracic legs, including claws). Its discoverers dubbed it the yeti lobster or yeti crab.
What was the purpose of the yeti crab expedition?
The Yeti crab was discovered during the Easter Microplate expedition to the southeast Pacific, led by MBARI scientist Bob Vrijenhoek. The primary goal of this expedition was to learn how bottom-dwelling animals from one deep-sea hydrothermal vent are able to colonize other hydrothermal vents hundreds or thousands of miles away.
What species is a yeti crab?
The yeti crab is so peculiar that a new family of decapods, apparently similar to both crabs and lobsters, was created: Kiwaidae. This family has a single genus, Kiwa , which includes the K. hirsuta and K. puravida. Confusingly enough, both species are called “yeti crabs”.
What is the Diet of a yeti crab?
Since the Yeti Crab is so new to us, no one is entirely sure what it eats. It may eat bacteria and other things but is also believed to be a general carnivore Its diet also would most likely be partly smaller shrimp and algae.
What is the scientific name for a yeti crab?
Updated: April 24, 2018. The yeti crab, also called “yeti lobster”, was discovered in the deep, dark waters of the Pacific Ocean relatively recently, in 2005. Its scientific name is Kiwa hirsuta – ” Kiwa ” was chosen in honor of the guardian of the sea in Maori mythology, while “hirsuta” means “hairy” in Latin.