Box crab

Scientific name : Calappa hepatica

Convex and warthy carapace; 6 spines along the side expansions edge. Light brown colour, marbled. Carapace lenght 6 cm. Active at night, when threatened it hides quickly buring under the sand. It feeds on mollusks, breaking the shell between the claws and the chest. More Calappa species live in our area, Calappa hepatica is distinguished from Calappa calappa and Calappa philargius by the warty carapace.