Why does the crab have fluffy mittens, science side of tumblr explain
to keep his hands warm
(After some research I found out..) This is the Chinese Mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) ! An invasive crab originally distributed in Asia, but now found almost everywhere in the world. Nobody knows why these setae (or hairs) are present on this crab [1], but we do know it is the perfect place for micro-organisms to settle in, and migrate to new areas [2, Normant et al, 2007].
Another species of crab uses these setae (where bacteria are living in) as a way to “detoxify” their surroundings, since they live around toxic thermal vents in the deep sea [3].
