Velvet swimming crab (Necora puber) male holding female, UK.
Species also known as velvet crab, devil crab, fighter crab, velvet fiddler, witch crab, and lady crab. Several synonyms including: Liocarcinus puber, Portunus puber & Macropipus puber. This is pre-mating behaviour when the male senses that the female will soon cast her shell, after which they will be able to mate. After mating the male will continue to guard the female in the same way until her new shell becomes hard. Both behaviours are sometimes known as 'escorting'.
Size: 4368px × 6592px
Location: Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, Berwickshire, Scotland, UK.
Photo credit: © Roy Waller / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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