Representatives of the family Majidae are commonly called spider or Decorator Crabs.They have a distinctive triangular-shaped body which tapers towards the front, although the carapace is rounded in a few species. The world's largest crab, the Japanese spider crab, belongs to this family. Its carapace is 40 cm (16 in) wide, and its monstrous clawed walking legs are up to 2 m (6.5 in) in length. Decorator Crabs are master camouflage artists, using their claws to adorn themselves with bits and pieces of algae, sponges, and hydroids. The carapace is usually covered with spines or knobs, and is equipped with hooked hairs that are used to attach the various items. The camouflage is so effective that it is difficult to detect these creatures unless they are moving. Frequently only the black tear-shaped eyes are visible. The 6 cm wide (2.5 in) species shown here is one of the most artistic members of the family, choosing several species and colors for its decoration. It occurs to depths of 10-15 m (33-50 ft).
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