Here’s a crustacean with crab in its name for #InsertAnInvert2024. Is it a crab? No, not a crab! This is a handprinted lino block print of the Yeti crab (Kiwa hirsuta), a crustacean with silky blond setae (resembling fur, which reminded scientists of the Abomnible Snowman) found on the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. The Yeti crab was found during the 2005 Census of Marine Life, near hydrothermal vents along the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge, 1/n
1,500 km (930 mi) south of Easter Island at a depth of 2,200 m (7,200 ft). The "fur" may contain filamentous bacteria used to detoxify poisonous minerals in fluids from the seafloor hydrothermal vents. Sometimes called a "furry lobster," it's actually a squat lobster. It's named for Kiwa, Māori guardian of the sea and hirsuta means hairy in Latin. 2/3
(This is another false crab, not really weird enough for the “not a crab” prompt but a) look at it! It’s amazing and b) I don’t know how to wrap my brain around some of those truly strange crustaceans. So I am bending rules here.)
https://minouette.etsy.com/listing/778572686
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