North Cape
During the time that guests were enjoying the multitude of flying seabirds at Gjesvaerstappen, or a bus tour of the North Cape, I decided to slip beneath the surface near Gjesvaer pier. Amidst the forest floor of the brown kelp species know as cuvie a Great spider crab (Hyas araneus) was spotted moving about. Characteristics which distinguish this species from others includes a carapace that is pear shaped and posteriorly rounded with a length up to about 11 cm long, as well as being covered with bristles and tubercles. The first set of legs are claws of which the right claw is larger. The dorsal side of the animal comes in many shades of dull red to brown with the ventral side being light in coloration. Hyas araneus is usually found among rocks and boulders, or among seaweed. The one pictured above has covered its carapace with seaweed for camouflage.
During the time that guests were enjoying the multitude of flying seabirds at Gjesvaerstappen, or a bus tour of the North Cape, I decided to slip beneath the surface near Gjesvaer pier. Amidst the forest floor of the brown kelp species know as cuvie a Great spider crab (Hyas araneus) was spotted moving about. Characteristics which distinguish this species from others includes a carapace that is pear shaped and posteriorly rounded with a length up to about 11 cm long, as well as being covered with bristles and tubercles. The first set of legs are claws of which the right claw is larger. The dorsal side of the animal comes in many shades of dull red to brown with the ventral side being light in coloration. Hyas araneus is usually found among rocks and boulders, or among seaweed. The one pictured above has covered its carapace with seaweed for camouflage.
