Bearing a clever defense

  

Sometimes it's hard to choose which photos to share, but I couldn't resist posting this Teddy Bear Crab (Polydectus cupulifer) from Hawai'i.

This crab is covered with dense setae (chitinous bristles), making it look very fuzzy.  

And check out the area near the tips of its claws.  Can you see how it looks a bit softer there and how it's a slightly different color than the crab (and lacks bristles)?  

Teddy Bear Crabs carry a small sea anemone in each claw.  [They usually choose Pleasing Anemones (Telmatactis decora).]  I read that the sea anemones might be used to defend against predators or in feeding.

Photographed near Honolulu on 7 April 2024.