{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "japanese-spider-crab",
  "name": "Japanese Spider Crab",
  "scientificName": "Macrocheira kaempferi",
  "category": "Invertebrate",
  "summary": "The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is the world's largest arthropod, with leg spans reaching 3.7 m in deep Pacific waters off Japan. Adults weigh 20 kg and are Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Arthropoda",
    "class": "Malacostraca",
    "order": "Decapoda",
    "family": "Inachidae",
    "genus": "Macrocheira"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 18,
    "lengthM": 0.4,
    "topSpeedKmh": 3,
    "lifespanYears": 80
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Macrocheira kaempferi"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Scavenger / carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Deep continental slopes"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "50–100 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "15–20 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "up to 3 km/h"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Deep waters off Japan.",
    "continents": [
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/japanese-spider-crab/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/japanese-spider-crab/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}