Munidopsis polymorpha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Munidopsis polymorpha |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Munidopsis
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| Species: |
polymorpha
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The Munidopsis polymorpha is a special kind of squat lobster. People also call it the blind albino cave crab. It's found only in one place in the world: the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. This small crab is blind and has a pale, almost white, body.
You can find these unique crabs living deep inside the caves of Jameos del Agua. These caves are actually lava tubes. They were formed thousands of years ago, about 13,000 to 15,000 years ago, when volcanoes erupted and lava flowed.
Contents
What is a Squat Lobster?
Squat lobsters are not true lobsters, even though they look a bit like them! They are more closely related to hermit crabs. They get their name because they often look like they are "squatting" or crouching. They usually have a flattened body and long legs.
Where the Blind Albino Cave Crab Lives
The Munidopsis polymorpha lives in a very specific and dark environment. The Jameos del Agua caves on Lanzarote are part of a long lava tube system. This system was created by the eruption of the Monte Corona volcano. The caves are filled with saltwater that connects to the ocean. This makes a perfect home for these special crabs.
What the Crab Looks Like
This crab is quite small. Its body is pale, almost white, because it lives in total darkness. Animals that live in caves often lose their color because they don't need protection from the sun. The Munidopsis polymorpha is also blind. It doesn't need eyes because there is no light in its cave home. Instead, it uses its other senses, like touch and smell, to find its way around and look for food.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Female Munidopsis polymorpha crabs carry their eggs with them. They usually carry only two eggs at a time. These eggs are quite large compared to the eggs of many other similar crabs. Most other crabs lay many small eggs. Having fewer, larger eggs might help the young crabs survive better in their unique cave environment.
A Special Symbol of Lanzarote
The Munidopsis polymorpha is very important to the island of Lanzarote. It is the official animal symbol of the island. This shows how unique and special this blind albino cave crab is to the local people and the natural history of Lanzarote.
See also
In Spanish: Cangrejito ciego de los Jameos para niños
- List of animal and plant symbols of the Canary Islands
