Choose a language:
Sleepy crab (Lat. Dromia personata). The biomass of this species is especially dense in the Mediterranean continental shelf. It mainly resides from the lower shore to a depth of 50 meters (164 ft), often in caves. The body of this crab is often covered by an encrusting sponge, but is recognised by its distinctive pink pincers and the very small fourth and fifth legs. The carapace is oval, up to 5 cm long, 6.5 cm broad with three small teeth between the eyes and five strong ones on each side. The body and legs are covered with hairs giving the crab a furry appearance. Their last two pairs of legs are positioned dorsally, and are used to hold a sponge in place as camouflage. It is a gonochoric species. It feeds on small invertebrates and small fish.
Local name
Rak spavač, kosmač
English name
Sleepy crab
Scientific name
Dromia personata
Did you know?
The sleepy crab is a bit clumsy, furry 'teddy bear'. It is very funny to see him crawling, because he walks like a Gorilla: he is making use of its claws for walking
Weight
-
Length
Up to 0.07m
Life span
-
Nutrition
Feeds on small invertebrates and small fish
Type of diet
Carnivorous
IUCN vulnerability status
Not Evaluated (IUCN Red List)
Distribution
It is found in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the East Atlantic Ocean from Western Sahara, Ascension, Azores and Canary Islands, north to Anglesey (Wales), the Clyde Sea (Scotland) and the English Channel

