Scientists in Antarctica photographed a new species of crab. It's extraordinary he even exists.

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.upworthy.com/scientists-in-antarctica-photographed-a-new-species-of-crab-its-extraordinary-he-even-exists?c=upw1&u=6bacec6889bf05ba106ae00be40328adccb1c8a6

By Eric March

The bottom of the ocean is a weird, weird place.
Case in point:



That's Kiwa tyleri. Otherwise known as the hairy yeti crab. A brand-new, newly officially identified species.

Well, new to us. He's been around a while. Which is astonishing because he lives in conditions that would mean instant, terrifying death to nearly any other creature on planet Earth.

Douglas Main of Newsweek explains:
"This crab prefers temperatures between 95 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but finding water that meets these conditions isn't easy. To do so, the animal must hunker down very close to the mouths of hydrothermal vents, which spew out water as hot as 715 degrees. Due to the high pressure and frigidity of the surrounding water, though, the temperature quickly drops off, [lead author Sven] Thatje says. So they must spend their lives in a delicate balancing act, for if they get too close to the vent they will be scalded, but if they stray too far they will freeze."

FULL story at link.

[Throd]

1. That is fascinatingly freaky. Thanks for sharing that.

[Whiskeytide]

2. Makes me want boiled crab for dinner...

... I'm teasing. Cool critter.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Looks like a tick with a fungus problem

[Mnemosyne]

4. It really does! lol nt

[stevenleser]

6. Yes, looks much more like a tick or mite or some other Acari than a crab

Blech

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Put some Old Bay on it. nt

[Lochloosa]

7. Popcorn Crab!