Where’s my umbrella? Ah! There it is.
Cryptolithodes sitchensis, or commonly known as the Umbrella Crab, Sitka Crab or Turtle Crab, is a species of lithodid crustacean native to coastal regions of the northeastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from Alaska to California.
These covered crabs are a kind of tiny King Crab that lives in the intertidal zone. If you can find one, all you'll really see is a suspicious stone about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) across. This is their carapace, which extends over their entire body with room spare for their legs and claws.
Tiny eyes peer through the helmet arches, like bug eyed little soldiers.
Umbrella Crabs come in a whole range of colours, from sandy and stony browns to vibrant reds and pinks. Even the more extravagant end of the spectrum serves as camouflage because they feed on a coralline algae which is usually pink or red.
Keep your eyes peeled for these unique members of the crab family. Getting a good shot of these guys can be tough just keep your gear dry and ready to get a shot.
Hope wherever you are is warm and sunny but if it isn’t hopefully you keep dry and warm.
Have a great day!
Scott
For more stories and images - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/
Wow, that thing is super weird! You're like Steemit's underwater David Attenborough, love it!
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Why thank you, that's very nice of you
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So unique with such a variety of colors within the different specimens. I am continuously amazed by the bright and color variations you have photo-documented; your camera techniques have changed my view of life under the sea. Truly!
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Very interesting, I had never seen them! Its color and texture that are seen to be incredible. Thanks for raising awareness of this species! They are beautiful and very striking. @scottdphoto
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Very interesting shots! How did you keep your lens dry in the water?
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good to know about these beasts :)
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amazing colors and kinda cute creatures! perfect shots, indeed
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your photographys are always beautiful yet amazing :O
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Incredible, life under the sea. No matter how much you think you know about marine life, theres always some creature you haven't seen yet. Can't wait to get my saltwater tank set up again, will be able to look at these kinds of colors all day long! Awesome post!
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I really enjoy your posts, i learn something new everyday! Cute little crabs, i think they look like butterflies somehow :)
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wow ! it looks cute but scary at the same time. i would never like to touch it though
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It is amazing how you represented the beauty of these crabs with these pictures ! We are often used to the original ones, but this is extraordinary ! We get to learn and see the diversity of this animal.
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Guau... awesome !!!! those colors are too psychedelic
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Really informative and the colors are awesome!
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Its amazing how the life of color is down below, Great capture as always Scott!
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Love you Pictures at http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/ especially on the travel rubric, because I also like the world of photography and travel. maybe you can visit my place, i'm sure you'll like to see it.
who knows we can later share the science of photography here. if asked what is interesting in my place, the answer is culture, art and nature here will greatly support your world @scottdphoto
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Beautiful photographs, such interesting coloring on those creatures :) I just posted a new painting of mine on my blog, feel free to check it out and tell me what you think xx.
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Very amazing and exceptional photographs.
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Amazing, excellent photos :) Congratulations !
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Those are the most peculiar creatures. Took me a good 20seconds of looking at these photos before I began to understand what I was looking at. Great eye for cryptic species!
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