Wildlife of The Solway Firth: The Sea Toad
Wildlife of The Solway Firth [82]
The Sea Toad – Hyas Araneus
By Mark Vollers
This spider crab, also known as the Greater Spider Crab, is found all around the British Isles but in greater numbers on North and Western coasts.
It is found below the high tide mark in rock pools and under seaweed fronds down to depths of 50m on both rocky and sandy substrates. They can grow up to 10cm in length by 8cm wide and vary in colour from pale yellowish to dark reddish brown.
Like all decapods, they have five sets of long legs of which the front pair are equipped with pincers for feeding and defence.
Every now and again this animal will be obliged to cast off its hard outer shell, a process called moulting, which allows it to then grow or expand in size rapidly before its outer skin hardens up again. This process also allows it to leave behind any other encrusting animals like barnacles that will have taken up residence on its body since its last moult.
Here at the aquarium in Maryport we quite often have these fascinating animals on display as they are sometimes found and brought into us by sea anglers looking for peeler crabs (soft shelled shore crabs) which are used as fishing bait.
They are predatory, grabbing hold of live prey if they can, otherwise foraging on dead matter.
Visit the Lake District Coast Aquarium to learn more about amazing wildlife on the Solway Coast.
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