Question 1

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs are found in the Arctic Ocean.

Accepted Answer

False. They are endemic to temperate waters around Japan, primarily the Pacific side, and do not inhabit cold Arctic regions.

Question 2

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs are commonly kept as pets in home aquariums.

Accepted Answer

False. Their enormous size, need for cold water, and specialized care make them impractical for home aquariums; they are rarely kept outside public aquariums.

Question 3

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs can regenerate lost limbs.

Accepted Answer

True. Like many crustaceans, they can regrow lost legs and claws through molting.

Question 4

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs are found exclusively in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan.

Accepted Answer

True. Their natural habitat is the Pacific side of Japan, especially Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay, at depths of 50 to 600 meters.

Question 5

True or false: Japanese spider crabs are aggressive hunters that actively chase fish.

Accepted Answer

False. False. They are mostly scavengers, feeding on dead animals and algae, not active predators.

Question 6

True or false: Japanese spider crabs can have a leg span of up to 12 feet from claw to claw.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Their leg span can reach 12 feet (3.7 m), making them the largest arthropod by leg span.

Question 7

True or false: These crabs are found primarily in warm tropical waters near Japan.

Accepted Answer

False. False. They inhabit cold deep waters (50–600 m) off the Pacific coast of Japan, not warm tropical seas.

Question 8

True or false: The Japanese Spider Crab has the largest leg span of any arthropod.

Accepted Answer

True. With a leg span reaching 3.7 meters (12 feet), the Japanese spider crab holds the record for the largest leg span among all arthropods.

Question 9

True or false: The Japanese Spider Crab can have a leg span exceeding 12 feet from claw to claw.

Accepted Answer

True. This species holds the record for the largest leg span of any arthropod, with specimens measured at up to 3.8 meters (12.5 feet).

Question 10

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs are scavengers that primarily feed on dead animals on the ocean floor.

Accepted Answer

True. They are mainly scavengers, consuming dead fish, shellfish, and organic debris, though they also hunt slow-moving prey when available.

Question 11

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs are considered dangerous to humans and have been known to attack divers.

Accepted Answer

False. They are docile, slow-moving creatures. No attacks on humans have been reported, and they rely on scavenging rather than aggression.

Question 12

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs' shells are covered in small hooks to attach kelp and sponges for camouflage.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Japanese Spider Crabs have hooked setae on their carapace, which they use to attach kelp and sponges for disguise.

Question 13

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs can regenerate lost limbs over time.

Accepted Answer

True. Like many crustaceans, they regenerate lost legs and claws through successive molts, a process that may require several molts to fully restore.

Question 14

True or false: Japanese Spider Crabs have a venomous bite that can paralyze prey.

Accepted Answer

False. They lack venom glands. Their claws are used to capture and tear food, but they rely on physical force, not venom.

Question 15

True or false: Japanese spider crabs can have a leg span of over 12 feet.

Accepted Answer

True. The Japanese spider crab holds the record for the largest leg span of any arthropod, reaching up to 12.5 feet (3.8 m) from claw to claw.

Question 16

True or false: Japanese spider crabs can live up to 100 years.

Accepted Answer

True. They have a slow growth rate and can live up to 100 years, possibly longer in captivity.

Japanese Spider Crab Trivia Questions