Normally, shy and reclusive, especially during the day, it was an special treat to find this nocturnal hunter, sitting atop a coral head and surveying his surroundings in the middle of the day.He is a Batwing Coral Crab.
If you look closely above his eyes, you will see the markings on this shell that give him his name.
The carapace is smooth and heavy. He has no teeth, expect for a blunt one at the lower right and left corners of his mouth.
This crab's basic color is pale to brick red with scarlet spots, some irregular white lines and yellow spots. The ends of their legs and claws, tend to be darker in color.
They commonly grow to be about 5 inches across their shell but occasionally are reported to be much larger.... this guy was one of those occasional ones. Maybe as much as twice the average size.
I haven't commented on any of your pictures thus far, but this guy really got my attention. That's an incredible shot, Mike!
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