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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans |
| Hairy
crabs Family Pilumnidae updated Aug 10
Where seen? Hairy crabs are commonly seen on rocky and coral rubble areas on many of our shores. The "teddy-bear" of crabs, these hairy little creatures fluff up in the water and look positively cuddlesome. But they are hard to spot and usually well hidden, especially during the day. They are more active at night, but even then, they usually scuttle into the nearest crack or crevice at the first sign of danger. These little crabs are not the same as the large 'Hairy crabs' that are served in our restaurants as seafood. Features: Body width 3-5cm. As its name suggests, the hairy crab is indeed quite hairy. Its body and limbs are covered with long, silky hairs. These trap sediments allowing the crab to blend perfectly with its surroundings. In the water, its hairs 'fluff up' breaking up its body outline. It also moves slowly and thus overlooked as some bit of drifting rubbish. It has large claws, some with thick black fingers. The Common hairy crab (Pilumnus verspertillio) is the most commonly encountered hairy crab on our shores and reefs. It has long, soft hairs and has been described as having the appearance of a mop. The various species of hairy crabs are very difficult to distinguish in the field. What do they eat? The Common hairy crab eats mainly seaweed. It may also eat toxic zoanthids (colonial anemones) and this makes the crab mildly poisonous. Various hairy crabs on our shores have been observed nibbling on hard seaweeds, sponges and even appearing to snack on bristleworms and possibly having a taste of a nudibranch. Status and threats: Several of our hairy crabs are listed among the threatened animals of Singapore. Like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Trampling by careless visitors also have an impact on local populations. |
 Labrador, Jun 08  Tiny eyes.  Silky hairs 'fluff' up in water. |
'Hair' covers almost every part of the body!
The hairs trap sediments, adding to their camouflage.
So please watch out when you step among the rocks.
 Sentosa, Jun 05 |
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 Sentosa, Aug 04 |
Hairy crabs on Singapore shores
 Eating a bristleworm! Pulau Semakau, Mar 08 |
 About to nibble on nudibranch? Pulau Hantu, Jul 08 |
 Nibbling on hard seaweed. Labrador, Feb 06 |
 Nibbling on bunch of seaweeds. Tuas, Nov 03 |
 Nibbling on a sponge. Pulau Hantu, Mar 07 |
 Nibbling on stuff Pulau Semakau, Feb 07 |
 Nibbling on seaweeds Sisters Island, Aug 08 |
more photos of hairy crabs on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part 2 | part 3
| Family
Pilumnidae recorded for Singapore from Wee Y.C. and Peter K. L. Ng. 1994. A First Look at Biodiversity in Singapore in red are those listed among the threatened animals of Singapore Davison, G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore.
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