This pissed off looking character is Claude, a Monster Tasmanian Crab that was recently caught off the coast of (you guessed it) Tasmania. Claude currently weighs 15 lbs and measures 15″ in width, however, he’s expected to reach 30 lbs and add an additional 3″ of girth. He was purchased by a British Aquarium for £3,000 ($4,800), where he’s now living a confined, but well-catered life:
In the wild, crabs eat any dead or dying matter they find on the seabed but Claude is currently dining on diced mackerel and squid and is reportedly very happy with his gourmet diet. Rob Hicks, head marine biologist for Sea Life, said: ‘They are such impressive creatures we thought that it was worth the cost and effort of flying them halfway round the world so they can flourish in an aquarium display. Jemma Battrick, aquarist at Weymouth Sea Life said: ‘When I found out we were getting the crabs in I was really excited.’
Translation: “I bet people will pay a mint to come gawk at this beast.”
Check out some additional pics after the break.
(via Geekologie)
