Marching determinedly across the seafloor with its scarlet body and long legs, the king crab looks like something out of an alien invasion movie.
In 2018, researchers from NOAA Ocean Exploration were surprised to see a large lithodid crab (a type of king crab) snacking on a brittle star during the Windows to the Deep expedition.
“This poor brittle star is having a very bad day,” says one researcher, as they watch the huge crustacean snap its prey’s arms off and pop them in its mouth. “Michael Vecchione [a scientist] joked that he’s snacking on the arms kind of like hot wings,” laughs another.
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As the crab munches, brittle star body parts can be seen scattered in the substrate all around it. The camera zooms right into the crustacean’s face as it tastes the brittle star arms then drops them.
"He spits it out every time,” says one of the scientists. “He’s not so into it. Well, indecisive!” adds another.
Although it seems grim, this observation helps experts learn more about the lives of these creatures below the waves. “While a bit graphic to watch, predation events such as this offer scientists unique glimpses into the lives and behaviours of animals of the deep,” writes NOAA in the video caption. “Though predation events like these often amaze us, we are still learning about which are truly rare and which are just rarely observed.”
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Video and image credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration, Windows to the Deep 2018
