Red Crab Invasion!

TL;DR

Thousands of pelagic red crabs wash up on the shores of California, providing a unique opportunity to study these squat lobsters.

Transcript

• Wow, sweet check this out. Come up here. Look at this box of water just filled with crabs. Alright, let's get down, we gotta film this. Wow, alright, come on down. Here hand the camera to me. Sweet. Wait 'til you guys see all these crabs. This is going to be awesome. Not exactly easy getting down here is it? Here you go. Alright, you good? Watch ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😪 Pelagic red crabs are a subspecies of squat lobsters that swim freely in the middle of the ocean but rarely come to shore.
• 😋 These crabs display vegetarian behavior, using their legs to filter food.
• 😫 Wash-ups of pelagic red crabs on shore attract sea birds looking for an easy meal.
• 😪 Despite their bright red coloration, pelagic red crabs are mostly exoskeleton, eyeballs, and innards.
• ☄️ Inspiration for the nature exploration show, "Beyond the Tide," came from books, such as "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."
• 😤 Audible.com offers a wide range of audiobooks, providing inspiration for Coyote and the Brave Wilderness team.
• 👶 The new series, "Beyond the Tide," promises to showcase even more bizarre and mysterious creatures found in tide pools.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are pelagic red crabs?

Pelagic red crabs are a subspecies of squat lobsters that typically live in the pelagic region of the ocean and only come to shore during major wash-ups.

Q: What behavior do pelagic red crabs display while underwater?

Underwater, pelagic red crabs are observed using the tiny hairs on their legs to help filter food, pushing pieces into their mouths.

Q: Can pelagic red crabs be eaten?

While technically edible, pelagic red crabs have very little meat and are mostly exoskeleton, eyeballs, and innards, making them unappealing for consumption.

Q: How often do major wash-ups of pelagic red crabs occur?

Major wash-ups of pelagic red crabs are a rare phenomenon that only happens every few years, providing a fascinating opportunity for study.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Brave Wilderness crew encounters a massive wash up of pelagic red crabs, a rare occurrence that only happens every few years.

• The crabs, actually a subspecies of squat lobsters, display vegeterian behavior, using tiny hairs on their legs to filter food.

• Despite their bright red coloration, these crabs are mostly exoskeleton, eyeballs, and innards, making them inedible.