When we talk about crabs, stream crabs are usually not the immediate candidates popping up in our minds. While most crabs live in the sea, there are exceptions. In Hong Kong, four species of freshwater stream crabs live on land and near hill streams instead of the sea, and one of them is Mountain Crab. Mountain Crab was first discovered on Hong Kong Island and described as a species new to science in 1940.
The usual hangout spots for Mountain Crab are wooded areas in close proximity to streams. Despite being nocturnal, these splendid reddish-orange crabs are sometimes quite visible at day time, especially on rainy days. They feed on aquatic plants, leaf litter, fishes and crustaceans, and sometimes carrion as well.
What makes this crab species special from the other crabs is that after laying eggs, the female holds the eggs in her abdomen rather than releasing them into the water. More protection from the mother can be translated as the babies having a higher survival rate. The baby crabs, once hatched, already possess the ability to search for their own food. This makes them little resilient survivors in nature!
| Family | Potamidae |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nanhaipotamon hongkongense |
| Adult Size | About 2–4 cm in carapace breadth |
| Habitat | Woodlands near mountain streams |
| IUCN Red List Status | Least Concern |
