Shimmering Crab

---

Heaven Above. Haven Below.

This content takes place in the Haven setting of Imagindarium's Creation.

---

---

Index / Lexica / Timeline

---

"Thought I had me a good haul when I went out divin’ last week, but the next thing I know this bleedin’ crab’s grabbin’ me damn hand! Damn near cut me fingers off!"

—Paul Orm, pearl diver

The Shimmering Crab, also referred to as the Crystal Crab or Lustrous Crab, is a species of crab that inhabits the oceans of Haven. Known for their habit of collecting crystals, gemstones and other similar objects, the Shimmering Crab is perhaps one of Haven’s most avaricious creatures. They’re also known for using these objects as a means of defense against larger creatures and as a lure for prey.

Characteristics

Appearance

The Shimmering Crab stands about as tall as a cat, with eight chitinous legs and a pair of claws it uses to manipulate objects around it. Its eyes can be retracted inwards to both protect and to clean them. The ends of its legs are somewhat flat, allowing the crab to easily dig into the sand when needed, though it does have some difficulty with navigating rough surfaces.

Normally, the Shimmering Crab’s shell is very dull in color. But once covered in crystals, it becomes a shining beacon of an animal, reflecting light in all directions. It uses this light to either blind attackers or to lure prey to it, though this means it must stay close to the surface for this tactic to be effective.

Biology

Unlike most other crustaceans, the Shimmering Crab’s shell isn’t very strong, being relatively easy to pierce. To compensate, the Shimmering Crab has developed an interesting defensive strategy. It takes shining objects, most often small crystals, and attaches them to its shell via a special, quick-hardening mucus it secretes from its mouth. Once a suitable object is found, the crab coats it in mucus and attaches it to its shell. While crystals are preferred, Shimmering Crabs are known to use objects like pieces of metal, seashells, pearls and even bits of broken glass as substitutes should no crystals be available.

By attaching enough of these objects to its body, the Shimmering Crab earns itself a suit of crystalline armor, protecting it from predators that would otherwise crush its meager defenses. It can even use these crystals when going on the offense, attaching the sharpest ones to its claws to give them better piercing power.

Shimmering Crabs are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on any edible matter they can find. Small fish, sea snails, starfish, smaller crustaceans, seaweed, and even smaller members of their own kind are all on the menu. It usually preys on creatures that are either too weak to fight back or too slow to run away, though it does occasionally chase after a potential meal. It uses its claws to hold prey in place as it tears them apart piece by piece.

When Shimmering Crabs mate, the females can lay up to five-hundred thousand eggs at a time, attaching them in clusters to rock walls or cave ceilings. Many of the eggs end up getting eaten before they hatch, usually by fish looking for a quick bite. Once the eggs hatch, the newborn crabs make for the seabed as quickly as possible, hiding amongst the sediment until they are large enough. At this point, their crystal-finding instincts begin to kick in, compelling them to search for extra protection. However, they sometimes go for crystals that are far too heavy for them to carry, leading to some amusing sights.

Behavior

Because Shimmering Crabs’ shells are fairly easy to break, they’ve become much more defensive than other crabs, especially if they don’t have any crystals to protect them. As a result, they typically bury themselves in the sand to hide from any potential threats, their dull shell colors helping them blend in with the seabed. This also serves as a way to help catch food, as the crab can reach up with its claws at surprising speeds to grab anything above it.

Shimmering Crabs with crystals covering much of their bodies tend to be considerably braver, venturing into areas that crystal-less crabs wouldn’t go. Their additional protection means that most predators don’t pay them any mind, not wanting a mouthful of sharp crystals. When hiding in the sand, the crabs typically use the light-reflecting properties of their crystals to attract small creatures, leading to a higher success rate when hunting.

Shimmering Crabs typically make their homes inside of underwater caves or inside of coral, covering the walls of their homes in their mucus. They do this to store any extra crystals they may come across on their travels, using them to replace any lost or broken ones. While these dens are often in dark places, they are covered in so many reflective objects that any light shone on them makes them bright enough to be seen from hundreds of meters away.

Shimmering Crab Hunting

Shimmering Crabs are often hunted for by people, usually just for the crystals on their bodies as most find the Shimmering Crab’s meat to be particularly unappetizing. Fishermen often exploit the crab’s attraction to shining objects by laying traps with small crystals inside of them, waiting for the crab to enter. Once the crab is caught, the trap is hauled up and the crab restrained, its crystals taken off with a special solution designed to dissolve the mucus that sticks them to its body. The crystals collected, the crab is then unceremoniously tossed back into the sea, usually scurrying back to its den as fast as possible.

The Shimmering Crab’s crystals are used in many things, usually in jewelry or other decorative purposes. Crystalline sculptures in the shape of the crab are a common sight in many seaside market towns. Some fishermen even sprinkle their bait with powdered crystals taken from the crabs, claiming that it attracts fish more. Regardless, fishing for Shimmering Crabs can be a very lucrative business, especially if one knows where to find them.

Notable Individuals

TBA