The Jamaican Bromeliad Crab

Metopaulius depressus is a unique crab. Better known as the Jamaican Bromeliad Crab, it is special because it is the only species that actively cares for its children.

Bromeliad crabs spend their entire lives in the water that gathers in Bromeliad plants (plants that collect water, like pineapples). When their eggs hatch, the parent crab will search the plant’s leaves for little bits of food and bring it back to the nest.

They also remove dead leaves that would deoxygenate the water and bring in snail shells to add calcium - amazing!

Most crabs simply spawn and let their young fend for themselves in the wide open world!