European Spider Crabs

European Spider Crabs (Maja squinado) are some of the largest crab species and can migrate for hundreds of miles in the wild. They can be found all around the North Eastern Atlantic Ocean as well as in the Mediterranean Sea.

They have large, hard shelled bodies lined with hairs which form their exoskeleton – as with all crabs, they moult regularly as they grow, leaving behind their smaller skeleton and stepping out into a larger version of themselves. The initial period after a moult is a very sensitive time for a crab as they are vulnerable to predation or harm so they will usually hide away whilst their skeleton hardens.