Crabs Are Exquisite Battlefield Surgeons

Personally, I had a mixed opinion on crabs until today. After seeing this short YouTube video – which is an excerpt from “Clipperton: The Island Time Forgot,” an episode from Jacques Cousteau's Odyssey series – I have a newfound respect for these creatures.

The video shows a crab being viciously attacked by two Boobies, which continuously deliver crippling blows to the creature's shell with their beaks. Even the hardened carapace cannot protect the crab against the unleashed fury of the two birds.

As a result, it gets severely wounded, especially in its right arm and adjacent claw. As it retreats to the sea, the crab uses its left claw to separate the entire damaged arm from its body, so that it can survive.

Biologists say that the creature will grow the limb back within the next few moulting cycles. Still, it's quite a feat to behold. Even is the video is very short, you'll find yourself rooting for the crab in the end.