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Crabs of Christmas Island
Infra-order Brachyura, Superfamily Grapsoidea, Family Varunidae
Paddler crab | Varuna litterata (Fabricius, 1798)
A medium sized squarish, flattened crab up to 50–60 mm. Light brown to brownish grey carapace with a
smooth surface. Walking legs are thin and flat - the two end segments are fringed with long, closely packed hair on the back edge. Underside of body is yellowish cream.
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Found in the littoral zone, lagoons, brackish water. Able to tolerate a wide range of salinity.
Read more about Christmas Island's paddler crab in the book
"Crabs of Christmas Island" by Max Orchard
Paddler crab
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