Teacup Crab

Teacup crabs are one of few semi-domesticated crab species on Cilvarth. These tiny hermits enjoy the finer things in life; teapot shells stylised to suit the individual crab and its needs.

These crabs are native to coastlines in southern Aurea and Jisefea, particularly around the Silver Desert. They are a gregarious species and roam the sandy shores in large groups, shearing down large piles of beached kelp and seaweed.

Taxonomy

Teacup crabs are in the family Coenobitidae, alongside other hermit crabs and coconut crabs.

Anatomy & Behaviour

Teacup Crab by Mochi

Measuring in at five to twelve centimetres in length when outstretched, teacup crabs are the largest terrestrial crab species on the planet. They are dark pink in colouration, rarely displaying striped patterns on the legs.

Wild teacup crabs mate during summer time, and females cast her eggs out into the sea by laying them on a flat shell. It will eventually sink to the ocean floor, ususally around a depth of ten to thirty metres.

Babies hatch and immediately start swimming for shallower areas. As part of the planktonic ecosystem, baby crabs consume the even more microscopic zooplankton.

Crabs continue to grow underwater, emerging once reaching a juvenile stage. The crabs immediately begin searching for a comfortable shell that can encase their delicate bodies. As they continue to grow the crabs will replace their shells with larger ones, often forming long crab chains, largest to smallest, each one passing its shell down.

Each crab customises the interior of the shell by filling it with plants, cushioning and protecting the body, as well as just being more comfortable.

Domestication & Pets

These adorable crabs are popular pets around southern Aurea and Jisefea. They have become somewhat of a trend in recent years, as a new craze has emerged: replacing the crab's natural shell with a teacup. This practice is highly controversial, some deeming it animal abuse. Others counter by arguing these crabs do not care what it wears, so long as it is protected. Scientific studies seem to favour the latter argument.

Teacup crab pageants are popular throughout coastal towns in the south of the Silver Desert. Amateur and skilled collectors alike bring showcase their crab's unique flair. These pageants are mostly focused on quality as opposed to the teacup; the crabs actually have no effect on the competitions.