Kiwa hirsuta is a crustacean discovered in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. [3] . This decapod, which is approximately 15 cm (5.9 in) long, is notable for the quantity of silky blond setae (resembling fur) covering its pereiopods (thoracic legs, including claws). Its discoverers dubbed it the " yeti lobster " or " yeti crab ". [4]

Interesting Yeti Crab Facts 1. The yeti crab farms its own food – on its arms. The hairy ‘arms’ of this tiny crab capture all kinds of bacteria that live and grow on the crab. To encourage growth, yeti crabs have been seen waving it’s arms back and forth in seeping vents. As a result, the bacteria are the primary source of food for the ...

Depths away from the furry legend of the Himalayas, the Yeti crab is a crustacean that dwells in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, at depths of thousands of feet. Hydrothermal vents form when hot larva rises up beneath the seafloor causing Earth’s crust to split apart.

The Yeti Crab (Kiwa hirsuta), a hairy crab with no eyes, was first discovered along a hydrothermal vent near the Pacific-Antarctic ridge. Not only is it a new species but it also belongs to a new family of crustaceans, Kiwa , named after the legendary Polynesian goddess of shellfish.

May 27, 2024 · The yeti crab is a family of deep-sea decapod crustaceans with hairy arms and a white shell. The very first species (Kiwa hirsuta) of yeti crabs was only discovered in 2005 on a hydrothermal vent near Easter Island. Despite its small eyes and poor eyesight, the yeti crab has several unique adaptations to survive the harsh biome of the cold and ...

Dec 18, 2020 · Although they are commonly known as “yeti crabs” due to their resemblance to the infamous, abominable snowman, scientists called this new species Kiwa hirsuta—“kiwa” coming from the name of a Polynesian deity that serves as a …

The yeti crab (Kiwa hirsuta), an unusual, hairy crab with no eyes, was discovered in 2005 on a hydrothermal vent near Easter Island. It represents not only a new species but also a new genus— Kiwa, after the mythological Polynesian goddess of shellfish.

The main dietary source of yeti crabs, symbiotic bacteria, reside on the hair-like setae on the clawed appendage. Kiwa crustaceans play a crucial role in the deep-sea ecosystem, serving as primary consumers and contributing to the biodiversity within hydrothermal vent communities.

Not only does the Yeti crab represent a new species—this discovery is of a whole new family of crabs. It’s the first new deep-sea crab family found in over a hundred years. Scientists have named the new family Kiwaidae.

Discover the mysterious world of the Yeti crab, an amazing deep-sea animal with unusual characteristics and habits. Find out about its food, environment, and the fascinating research that surrounds it.