Halimeda Crab, Huenia heraldicaimage credit: artour_a
Halimeda Crab, Huenia heraldicaimage credit: Erwin Kodiat

Halimeda Crab, Huenia heraldicaimage credit: James R.D. Scott

© All Rights Reserved: David Henshaw 
 
Habitat: Indonesia
Status: No conservation concerns

No, this is not a leaf. No, this is not a little weedy plant. Yes, this is a crab!

This is the Halimeda Crab (Huenia heraldica) which is a species of Arrowhead Crab that likes to decorate its body with the living leaves of the Halimeda algae. It’s green body paired with its algae “hat” makes it virtually impossible to spot. When I first saw pictures of this tiny creature, I didn’t even know I was looking at an animal! Pretty weird huh?