The Crab: Octopus Dream Meal
Crustaceans are by far the favourite prey of octopuses. There is one particular crustacean, however, that is the absolute dream meal of the octopus…We are referring, of course, to the crab!
The crab of this video is a hermit crab. The hermit crab carries an empty seashell which it uses to hide and protect its vulnerable abdomen. As empty seashells are sometimes difficult to find, hermit crabs may have to fight over a good, well-fitting shell. After all, as testified by this video, a strong shell can make the difference between death and survival.
How to Eat a Crab: A Guidebook For Young Octopuses
As tasty as they can be, crabs are not so easily consumed as fishes or other sea animals. Luckily for octopuses, they are equipped with a series of useful tools. First of all, they have a hard and retractile beak which is sharp and competent enough to break shells open. Behind the beak, there is a gland known as the poison gland. It produces a sedative substance which is released to the victim through the beak. Once its victim is paralyzed, the octopus can proceed to opening its way into the shell of the prey. The salivary papilla is muscular and its front side is covered with very small teeth which can drill holes in shells. It functions as an accessory radula. Finally, the radula is the tongue of the octopus which can scrape the meat of the crab out of its shell.
A Very Lucky Crab
The crab of this video is having a lucky day. Although the octopus has managed to surprise it by pouncing on it and entangling it with its powerful arms, its seems like it is either too weak or too inexperienced to make its way through the shell.
It will live to see another day thanks to the endurance of its shield-shell.
