Crustaceans

Ever notice those little crusty clumps stuck to rocks, boat hulls or even whales? Those are barnacles, and while they might not look like much, they're marvels of the natural world.

By Nico Avelle

The blue crab is one of the most recognizable crustaceans in the coastal waters of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Found in the Chesapeake Bay, the blue crab plays a crucial role in marine science and fisheries.

By Zach Taras

The Japanese spider crab is a fascinating and impressive animal. In fact, it is the largest arthropod in the ocean!

By Zach Taras

Shrimp, in addition to being a tasty addition to many cuisines around the world, is sometimes used as an insult to call a person small or short. But did you know there are over 2,000 species of shrimp, and many shrimp actually grow to be quite large? The world's biggest shrimp is not what you'd typically call shrimpy in size.

By Ada Tseng

Both the European lobster and American lobster are crustaceans that people living in coastal regions love to eat, but left to their devices, the lobsters can survive many decades and grow to ridiculous sizes - particularly the American lobster, which is the largest arthropod species on Earth.

By Talon Homer

Known for their long legs, pincers and hard shells, most crustaceans are omnivorous scavengers, although some are predators or vegetarians. Either way, a steady diet can assist certain crab species in growing to incredible sizes.

By Marie Look

Cymothoa exigua will make you feel very glad you're not a fish.

By Jesslyn Shields

The pistol shrimp is feared in the ocean for its ability to hit a prey with air bubbles that travel 82 feet per second, pop at 218 decibels and deliver 8,000 degrees Fahrenheit of heat.

By Katie Carman

These brightly colored crustaceans can smash aquarium glass or quickly cut through a human finger, so whatever you do, keep your distance.

By Stephanie Vermillion

Roly-poly bugs are natural soil conditioners because they process decomposing matter, helping keep your garden soil clean and healthy. And - fun fact - they're crustaceans, not insects.

By Jeremy Glass

The biggest land-dwelling arthropod can crack into everything from coconuts to carcasses, but they're also really vulnerable.

By Jesslyn Shields

The first-ever deep-sea exploration of West Java seas netted more than 12,000 marine creatures, including some new species of crabs, prawns and lobsters.

By Oisin Curran

Scientists have discovered for the first time that animals pollinate flowers in the ocean.

By Alia Hoyt

A Massachusetts fisherman recently caught a blue lobster, which had us wondering how rare this crustacean really is.

By Kathryn Whitbourne

Do you think much about the lobster before you crack it open and dip it in butter? These humble animals have some very odd habits. For one thing, they pee out of their faces.

By Shanna Freeman

Although no one can yet tell how old lobsters get, they show no apparent signs of aging. Learn why lobsters live so long and get so big, and what this means for other animals, including humans.

By Jacob Silverman