Davao Sponge Crab

Description:

This is a nocturnal crab that has a habit of carrying sponges on its back (hence its name). Its exoskeleton is hairy like velvet, and is usually a brown color. The last two pairs of legs at the back have distinct claws, which the crab uses to hold sponges or even coral pieces against its shell.

Habitat:

This crab was discovered by Dr. Jose Naval in Davao City. So far, it can only be found in the waters of the Davao Gulf.

Notes:

Spotted 3 or 4 of these crab during a night dive at San Juan Reef, Samal Island. The photos show two of them (2 with the flat yellow-colored sponge on its back, and 2 with the blue sponge). When I spotted one of them, it was tearing a tube sponge apart -- for putting on its back or for eating, I'm not sure. I'm not sure, though, whether it thinks it's being camouflaged by the sponge, because the crab's pretty huge. They don't like being disturbed, and they can walk away pretty quickly!