No Shame in Being a Crab

The shame faced crab, or box crab - is one of our favourite species groupings here at the Museum.

They have been given their name from the way they seem to hide their faces, as if ashamed. This is obviously not the case as to our knowledge crabs do not feel shame.

In fact, these species of crabs are expert predators, with specially evolved claws to allow them to pry open mollusks. One claw is tough and strong, while the other is more slender and allows the crab to dig out the juicy bits.

We are also lucky enough to have one of these crabs on display at the museum, and you can see it in all its (dead) glory, when we open later this year.

So here’s to you Shame Faced crab!