Body length1.5 tenths m
1.3 tenthsCoffee table lengths
2,000Human hair widths
62.5 millionthsNASCAR ovals
Placeholder image
Yeti Crab
A blind, hairy crustacean living on volcanic vents in total darkness/Deep Sea & Ocean Life
The yeti crab (Kiwa hirsuta) was discovered in 2005 near hydrothermal vents south of Easter Island at a depth of 2,200 meters. Named for its dense coat of silky, hair-like setae covering its claws and legs, the yeti crab is thought to farm chemosynthetic bacteria on these hairs, then scrape them off to eat. It is completely blind, having no functional eyes, and navigates its volcanic vent habitat entirely through touch and chemical sensing. The setae may also help detoxify the poisonous minerals spewing from the vents.
Measurements
Claw length1 tenths m
1.8 tenthsHead circumferences
1.2 tenthsSkateboard lengths
Setae (hair) length2 hundredths m
2 hundredthsBelt lengths
189 millionHydrogen atoms
1.7 hundredthsGolf drivers
Body mass2 tenths kg
4,000Water drops
200Paperclips
Habitat depth2,200 m
6.6 hundredthsEnglish Channel widths
2,933Human strides