The Heart Crab
Phyllolithodes papillosus

Believe it or not, this hairy beast is really a crab!! The claws, legs and edge of the carapace are covered with many projections, which probably help to camouflage this animal in its habitat. These crabs can be found along the Pacific coast of North America from California to Alaska. Although the juveniles can sometimes be found under rocks at low tide, this species is most often seen subtidally in shallow rocky areas with moderate exposure. These animals are known to feed on a variety of other organisms, including sea urchins and sponges.

Questions and Answers about Marine Arthropods

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