Kiwa hirsuta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kiwa Hirsuta |
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Kiwaidae
Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2006
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Kiwa
Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2006
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K. hirsuta
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| Kiwa hirsuta Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2006
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The Yeti Crab, officially known as Kiwa hirsuta, is a fascinating creature that lives deep in the ocean. It's a type of crustacean, which means it's related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. This amazing animal was first discovered in March 2005 on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists found the Yeti Crab about 7,200 feet (that's over 2,000 meters!) deep. This incredible discovery happened about 900 miles south of Easter Island. It's called the Yeti Crab because its long arms are covered in what looks like yellow fur, similar to the mythical Yeti!
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Discovery of the Yeti Crab
The Yeti Crab was found by researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Insititute. They were exploring the deep sea using special underwater robots. When they saw this unique creature, they knew it was something new and exciting.
The crab is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Its unusual appearance made it stand out right away. It looks a bit like a crab or a lobster, but its furry arms are truly special.
What Makes the Yeti Crab Unique?
The "fur" on the Yeti Crab's arms isn't actually fur like on a mammal. Instead, it's made of many tiny, hair-like bristles called setae. These setae are covered in special bacteria. Scientists believe these bacteria might help the crab in a few ways.
Furry Arms and Food
One idea is that the bacteria on the crab's arms help it get food. In the deep sea, food is very scarce. The Yeti Crab lives near hydrothermal vents, which are like underwater hot springs. These vents release chemicals that the bacteria can use to create food, a process called chemosynthesis. The crab might "farm" these bacteria and then scrape them off its arms to eat.
Another idea is that the bacteria help to detoxify harmful chemicals from the hydrothermal vents. This would allow the Yeti Crab to live safely in its extreme environment.
Its Scientific Family
Because the Yeti Crab is so different from other known crustaceans, scientists gave it its very own scientific family. This family is called Kiwaidae. The name Kiwa comes from the Polynesian goddess of shellfish. This shows just how unique and important this discovery was to the world of marine biology.
The Yeti Crab is a great example of how much we still have to learn about the deep ocean. It reminds us that there are many amazing creatures waiting to be discovered in the mysterious parts of our planet.
See also
In Spanish: Cangrejo yeti para niños
