Brown box crab - an armored rock mimic

This species of king crab often lies buried in sediment, using its rock-like, spiky shell as camouflage. It has two special openings, or foramens, near its claws, that allow it to respirate while partially buried in sand or sediment.

Its Latin name comes from the Greek words ‘lophos’ (crest) and ‘lithodes’ (stone), and the Latin ‘foraminatus’ (provided with a hole or perforation).

When threatened, the box crab can fold its legs and claws tightly into its body, forming an almost impenetrable rock-like shape. But this isn’t always enough to fend off its main predator - octopus.