April 26, 2011

Weekly Beast: Yeti Crab

The Yeti crab or Kiwa hirsuta was found in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean a mile and a half below the water's surface.  The Yeti crabs have silky blonde setae (that looks like fur) covering it's legs and claws.  Scientists have found that the setae contain bacteria that help the crab live near toxic thermal vents.  The crabs are roughly 6 inches long and are though to be blind.  Scientists actually crated a new biological family because of the Yeti crab.


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