Photo 1915, (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda

Attribution © Ken-ichi Ueda
some rights reserved
Uploaded by kueda kueda
Source Flickr
Original http://www.flickr.com/photos/18024068@N00/2062105092
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta)

Observer

kueda

Date

November 24, 2007 04:27 PM PST

Description

I'm assuming these two weren't fighting as there didn't seem to be any struggle, and I didn't want to grab them in case they were otherwise engaged, so . . . anyone know if kelp crabs are into the missionary position?

Belated update: Minette says,

Often I find crabs like this...with two snuggled up together and an apparent third off to one side. The third invariably turns out to be the carapace of the female who has to molt immediately before mating so that her body is soft enough to accept the male's sperm packets. The male will embrace/protect the female like that after mating until her new shell hardens.
Sizes