Date:Tue 12/12/2023 8:00 AM
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today's fish of the day is the yeti crab!
The yeti crab, known by the scientific name Kiwa hirsuta is a wonderful family, and my personal favorite crab. Only discovered in 2005 this species is still being discovered and understood. They can be found anywhere from 2,000 to more than 7,000 feet below the water surface, living in the Southern Pacific Ocean around hypothermal vents. These animals are strange, as the area they live in is so cold they can not live there, but the hypothermal vents they live around produce water so hot they'll die if they get too close. This leaves an incredibly small area in which it is believed a crab will spend all of its life in.
Despite being called "hairy", it is not hair or fur on their arms, but rather setae which the crabs wave through the water encouraging bacteria growth, which they eat. This is thought to be their main food source. Unlike most crustaceans, the yeti crab has a specialized structure for carrying eggs, and will care for them until they hatch.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!