Welcome to day three of Wild Facts – Weird and Unusual Animals. You know, I think it was Glenn over at Man Over Board that suggested I could easily do 1000 Wild Facts just on deep sea animals. I think he may have been right as we are heading back to the depths of the deep ocean for another newly discovered species.
I had my first experience with lobster on a trip to Halifax last year and I must say that I really enjoyed it. Now, I am not sure if I would have eaten that scrumptious lobster had it been covered in fur like the newly discovered “Yeti Crab”. That’s right, the silky fur on the picture above has not been photoshopped in for a crab fashion show. That is really what these deep sea crustaceans look like. Obviously, the question that needs to be asked is “What the heck is the silky fur used for?” I can tell you right now that I am not able to answer that question with 100% certainty but I will let you in on the two possible answers.
The first possible reason has to do with feeding. On our journey to Wild Fact #937 we have noticed that a lot of adaptations have evolved for feeding or mating so this would make sense. Now, wait a minute, how can fur be used for feeding? Well, you see the “Yeti Crab” lives on the ocean floor by the Easter Islands (you know the famous Easter Islands). This unique animal lives near some deep sea hydrothermal vents. These vents can pose a serious threat to many animals as it produces a lot of toxins. The other thing that it produces is bacteria. When scientists discovered this new crustacean they noticed that the fur was covered in a variety of bacteria. Some researchers believe that these animals eat the bacteria that they capture in their fur. Well that seems plausible, doesn’t it? Although, there are reports of two of these “Yeti Crabs” fighting over a piece of shrimp so either they have various food groups or this special fur serves another purpose.
Remember, when I said that those ocean floor vents are deadly for some animals. So why not for this crustacean? Well, some researchers believe that the bacteria in their fur actually filter out the harmful toxins that are produced from these vents. Personally, I like this theory but to this point nobody knows for sure. So what are you thoughts? Maybe it is just a fashion statement? You know the drill, 5 Bonus Wild Fact Points for anyone with guesses for the use of this fur!
I hope you enjoyed today’s fact.
References:
Your posts are interesting and informative. My family enjoys reading them. BTW, I have passed you an award at my blog. Pop by to check it out.
Thank you so much for the award, Denesa!
I always feel so honoured when great sites recognize Wild Facts! I will finish the requirements for the award today! Again, thank you so much!
As well, I am glad that you and your family enjoy reading the facts! I love the fact that you can sit down with your children and read some stuff about animals. That is definitely one of the purposes of this website!
Thanks for reading!
This crab is awesome – a far cry from the ones we see in the lakes around here. I was thinking the fur might have something to do with the temperature, perhaps acting as some kind of a barrier from the thermal vents. I’m not sure how much sense that makes, but I’m sure this particular adaptation must have something to do with the temperature on the bottom of the sea floor. You know the old drill, polar bear’s fur acts as insulation, etc… Anyway I think I’ve earned my 5 bonus points.
Great post kiddo!
Love Auntie B.
You could be on to something, Aunt Bev! It is definitely possible for the fur to act as an insulation for the little guy. Crustaceans are ectotherms which means they depend on outside sources to help regulate their body temperature. Basically, they are cold-blooded.
I do believe the vents would provide a nice warm atmosphere for the Yeti Crab but that does not rule out that the fur could provide some sort of additional temperature regulation.
Definitely an interesting though and worth your 5 Bonus Wild Fact Points!
Thanks for providing an cool idea!
Bev…that’s a good one since that’s exactly what Garry had said but was waiting for me to come home from work to type it…he missed out on his 5 bonus points (you wanna share)?
Of course I think it’s for cosmetic purposes only…she’s a stylish crab and trying to get a mate (ha, ha). It almost looks like feathers.
Good post as usual Nathan!
That is too bad that you missed out on your Bonus Points but I have already read your other comment and I know you will get the 5 Bonus Wild Fact points for that.
Definitely a stylish crab that has some class. Heck we can’t even get a fur coat! You are right though, they do look a little like feathers!
Thanks for making me smile!
This is just to let everyone know that Nathan is in Vancouver this week (no internet service) and will not be able to respond to any questions until he returns on Friday evening.
I’ll leave you with one more use for this crab…..the fur is used to absorb the garlic butter when you eat him (ha, ha). Now that has to be worth 5 points just on the humourous scale.
Thanks for posting this comment letting everyone know I did not have access to the internet. I apologize for not informing everyone before I left. I figured the hotel woudl have complimentary internet. I was wrong! I did try to use my blackberry to respond but it proved to be challenging.
Definitely worth the 5 Bonus Wild Fact points. This made me straight up laugh out loud! Although, would you want to eat the fur? I just keep picturing a yeti crab sitting on a plate with butter all around and I am wearing one of those lobster bibs but it has a picture of the Yeti Crab. Thanks for putting this image in my head. You definitely made my day!
This is certainly a weird looking animal. Anywho, I have a large shot-glass collection and a lot of them are from Canada. I have one from Halifax; I did not go there, but a family friend did. Also, I recognize the word PhotoShop because one of my classes at high-school is Digital Photography and we use PhotoShop a lot.
A shot glass collection! Aren’t you a little young to be collecting shot glasses? You should make the trip to Halifax sometime. It is a great city! I had a lot of fun on my trip over there. Perhaps too much fun!
That is awesome that you have a digital photography class in high school. That would be a great class! I wish that was offered when I was in high school. Although, I guess digital photography wasn’t that big then. Geez, I am getting old!
I may be a little young, but it’s fun getting them from a lot of different places. Thank you so much for your comment on my grades! That barrel fish looks totally cool. The green stuff inside its head looks like leaves off of a tree!
I have a few suggestions about future posts. I really like this stuff:
*Meerkats
*Seahorses
*coral(isn’t it an animal?)
*lions/tigers
*Albino animals
Well, those are my suggestions; you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to. And I think that a purpose for the fur is to help it not get hurt, like if something stings it. It’s a good guess!
Those are some great suggestions. Don’t be surprised to see a few of those animals in the near future. Thanks for the ideas. Sometimes the hardest part of this is picking which animal I want to write a post about!
The idea of the fur acting as protection is a good guess! There may be a protective function from the unique hair that covers their bodies. Crustaceans have an exoskeleton which does provide a great deal of protection from the outside world (sort of like a suit of armour). That does not mean that the fur can not protect the crab from something else that the exoskeleton misses.
Definitely worth the 5 Bonus Wild Fact Points! Thanks for the idea!!
Hi Nathan! 😀 I think The Furs can be used as Receptors, I mean It might be a Sensor for Vibrations, Change of Current or Detectors.. aside from their Antennae
1. to Protect them from Predetors
2. to help them find food
3. to help them find their way in that deep Dark depths of Ocean..
haha! I hope I Have the 5 Fact points XD hahah!
I love the idea of having the fur be used as a receptor!! You have definitely earned your 5 Wild Fact Bonus Points. You know what, I am so impressed with your thought process that I am going to award you a Bonus 5 Wild Fact Bonus Points. That is honestly a great answer that really makes you think. Good Job!
Wow! Thanks! Nathan 😀 I really Think Hard for that One Co’z the looks of the Crab sorrounded by fur is Really making you think What it is for! haha!
😀
Maybe it is like a porcupine, its fur has poison and who eats it will die… or maybe it is for protecting his claws or body…Haha, I hope i got 5 wild facts bonus points!!!
You definitely get the 5 Wild Facts Bonus Points :).
Those are some great guesses! Thanks for the ideas.