A tiny pink baby king crab captured the attention of millions after NOAA scientists made an unexpected discovery during an expedition in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research team found the diminutive crustacean while on a mission to collect coral samples and remove marine debris from the ocean floor. According to La Razón, the pink juvenile king crab with spines, scientifically identified as Neolithodes agassizii, was caught at a depth of more than 1,000 meters.
NOAA shared a video showing the minuscule, spiny, salmon-colored king crab resting in the palm of a researcher. The video went viral, amassing more than 10.6 million views on the platform X within two weeks, as reported by Stern. One user wrote, "Oh my God, I love him," and the video was shared thousands of times, according to Focus Online.
Scientists believe the small crab boarded the research vessel from a plastic bag lifted from the seabed during the coral sampling expedition, according to Science Alert.
The crab is likely a specimen of the species Neolithodes agassizii, a larval stage of the royal crab that inhabits depths between 200 and 1,900 meters. Mundo Deportivo reported that although its appearance may seem unusual, the specimen is a larva of one of the most popular crustaceans in the Atlantic Ocean.
This is the cutest, spikiest, tiniest crab in the world! (Don't quote us on that—it's called hyperbole.)It was found during an operation in the Gulf of Mexico, which collected samples of mesophotic and deep-sea coral species for lab rearing and propagation.Credit: @sanctuaries pic.twitter.com/ObYx2YveHW
— NOAA Fisheries (@NOAAFisheries) January 8, 2025
According to N-TV, Neolithodes agassizii can grow up to 12 centimeters in size, with adults reaching a shell width of up to 11.5 centimeters and a length of 12.2 centimeters, not counting the legs. The specimen found is still very young, and it still needs to grow into its impressive 'hair' of spikes, according to Bild. Despite its size, the baby king crab possesses a robust and spiny shell, typical of royal crabs, which provides it protection against predators in the deep sea.
NOAA posted on X: "This is the cutest, spiniest, and smallest crab in the world! (Don't quote us, it's called hyperbole)."
Fans are painting and drawing pictures of the little crab, and NOAA responded on X: "You really love our little crab, even to the extent that you've made original creations in honor of this little creature," accompanied by a selection of drawings of the small crab.
Juvenile king crabs use other animals for shelter because their habitat includes vast, muddy plains that provide little obstacles to hide behind. Some juvenile king crabs are known to take rides on sea pigs (Scotoplanes), which provide cover for them, helping them conceal themselves from predators on the extensive muddy plains of the seabed.
Despite their name, king crabs do not belong to the group of true crabs (Brachyura). King crabs evolved from hermit crabs and lost the need for a shell home up to 25 million years ago. They have a large attacking claw and a smaller feeding claw up front. Unlike true crabs, which have eight walking legs, king crabs have only six legs for walking.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.