🦀 Ep. 25: Japanese Spider Crabs and Their Giant Ocean Legs (Animals for Kids)

We reveal some of the strangest and most fascinating creatures hidden in the ocean, and in this episode of The Nature Loving Kids Podcast, we explore one of the weirdest animals in the sea: the Japanese spider crab. If your family enjoys learning through a kids nature podcast, this episode is packed with incredible discoveries, deep ocean mysteries, and unforgettable animals for kids facts about giant crabs with legs longer than most people are tall.

Japanese spider crabs are the largest crabs in the world when measured from leg tip to leg tip. Some can stretch up to twelve feet wide, making them one of the most surprising examples of animals for kids found in the deep ocean. Their long legs help them move slowly across the ocean floor while searching for food. Even though they look a little scary, these giant crabs are usually calm scavengers that eat dead animals, shellfish, and plants found underwater.

In this educational kids podcast, children will learn how Japanese spider crabs survive deep beneath the ocean surface where it is dark, cold, and quiet. Through nature exploration for kids, listeners will discover how these creatures use camouflage by attaching sponges, algae, and other sea life to their shells to blend into the ocean floor. These amazing kids animal discoveries show how animals are designed with unique survival abilities.

Another fascinating part of this episode is learning about molting. Spider crabs have hard outer shells called exoskeletons, and as they grow, they must shed their old shell and form a new one. During this process, they are vulnerable until the new shell hardens. These kinds of animals for kids facts help children understand how life in the ocean can be both challenging and fascinating.

This family friendly nature show helps families discover the wonders of nature life through storytelling, science, and engaging nature facts that make learning exciting and memorable. Whether your child loves ocean creatures, giant animals, or strange deep-sea discoveries, this episode will spark curiosity about the underwater world.

With a gentle Christian perspective, this episode reminds listeners that God created not only familiar animals, but also strange and mysterious creatures hidden deep in the oceans. Even giant spider crabs with enormous legs show creativity and purpose in nature and God’s creation.

Whether you are listening during homeschool science time, enjoying a family road trip podcast, or winding down with bedtime nature stories, this episode is a fun and fascinating adventure into the deep sea.

If your child loves weird ocean creatures, giant animals, and exciting animals for kids, this Japanese spider crab episode is one they will not forget.

Send us an email (naturelovingkidspodcast@gmail.com) to say "hi" to the nature loving kids, request a birthday shoutout or recommend a fun animal or nature phenomenon to discuss on the show!

And if you liked our episode please leave a 5 Star Review and share with a friend!

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

What if I told you? There's a crab with legs longer than a car that lives deep in the ocean. It looks almost like an underwater alien. It's real, and it's one of the strangest creatures in the ocean. The Japanese spider crab. I'm your host, Garrett Maroon. And before I introduce my three favorite deep sea explorers, remember, if you want to say hi to the Nature Loving Kids, suggest an animal, or get a birthday shout out, email us at Nature LovingKidsPodcast at gmail.com.

SPEAKER_01 1:13

Hi, I'm Hattie, and I'm excited because this was my topic. And I'm Dylan, and I want to know how big the crab really is. And I'm Ivy, and I'm ready for some jokes.

SPEAKER_00 1:26

Today we're exploring one of the largest crabs in the world. The Japanese spider crab is a giant crab that lives deep in the ocean near Japan. It gets its name because of its extremely long legs that look a little bit like spider legs.

SPEAKER_01 1:45

So how big are we talking?

SPEAKER_00 1:48

From one leg tip to the other, they can stretch up to 12 feet wide.

SPEAKER_01 1:54

12 feet? What?

SPEAKER_00 1:55

Yes, that's wider than most rooms.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

That's not a crab, that's a crabzilla!

SPEAKER_00 2:05

It definitely feels that way. Their long legs help them move across the ocean floor in search for food. Even though they look scary, they're actually pretty slow and gentle.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

So they're not giant hunters?

SPEAKER_00 2:22

No, they mostly eat dead animals, plants, shellfish, and things they find on the ocean floor. They're more like giant ocean cleaners. Spider crabs are also very good at hiding.

SPEAKER_01 2:38

They sometimes attach sponges, algae, and sea creatures to their shell. So they decorate themselves.

SPEAKER_00 2:47

Exactly. It helps them blend into the ocean floor so predators don't notice them.

SPEAKER_01 2:53

That's like underwater camouflage.

SPEAKER_00 2:56

Perfect description. Alright, time for some crab jokes. What do you have for us, Ivy?

SPEAKER_01 3:07

What did the spider crab say to the other spider crab?

unknown 3:11

What?

SPEAKER_01 3:13

Spider Joe's. That makes no sense. Why don't crabs share? Why? Because they're shellfish. Hey everyone, Hattie here. If you like this podcast and want bedtime stories for kids, check out my dad's podcast called Lantern Hollow.

SPEAKER_00 3:39

Japanese spider crabs live deep underwater, where it's cold, dark, and quiet.

SPEAKER_01 3:46

So people don't see them often?

SPEAKER_00 3:48

Not usually. They spend much of their lives crawling slowly across the ocean floor.

SPEAKER_01 3:55

Because they live so deep, scientists are still learning about them.

SPEAKER_00 4:01

Here's something really interesting. Spider crabs have hard shells called exoskeletons. But as they grow, they have to shed their shell. This is called molting.

SPEAKER_01 4:14

So they climb out of their old shell?

SPEAKER_00 4:17

Exactly. For a little while afterward, their new shell is soft and vulnerable until it hardens. When we look at creatures like the spider crab, it reminds us of something important. God didn't only create cute or familiar animals, he also created creatures that are strange, unusual, gigantic, and mysterious.

SPEAKER_01 4:42

Like giant crabs with super long legs.

SPEAKER_00 4:45

Exactly. And even the weirdest creatures show creativity and design in nature.

SPEAKER_01 4:52

And bonus fact, and the babies are so small that the mommy can have up to one million a year. That's a lot of babies.

SPEAKER_00 5:08

Alright, time for one more crab joke break. What do you have for us, kiddos?

SPEAKER_01 5:14

Why did the crab invite his friends over for a party? Why? He wanted to celebrate. Why did the crab cross the road? Why? To get to the other tide.

SPEAKER_00 5:31

Think about this. Deep in the ocean, there are giant crabs walking slowly across the seafloor with legs longer than a person is tall.

SPEAKER_01 5:42

The ocean is much crazier than people realize.

SPEAKER_00 5:45

It really is. There are still so many hidden wonders left to discover. Japanese spider crabs may look strange, but they are one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. From giant legs to camouflage skills, they remind us that nature is full of incredible surprises. Thanks for joining us on the Nature Loving Kids Podcast.

SPEAKER_01 6:20

If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And remember, click the bell button. New episode every Wednesday. And please leave a review. We read every one. I'd love to eat one of those crap lads. And I love killing crab jokes.

SPEAKER_00 6:37

Until next time, stay curious, get outside, and remember, the world is full of wild wonders.