Velvet Swimming Crab Necora puber

The Velvet Swimming Crab, also called just the Velvet Crab, is native to rocky, shallow coasts of the northeastern Atlantic from Norway to the western Sahara including part of the Mediterranean. One of several "swimming crabs" whose back legs are flatter to assist in swimming, it is the only species in its genus. The body (carapace) grows to 10cm (4 inches) wide and is covered with small hairs giving a velvet appearance and feel. It has red eyes (not always apparent) and dark violet pincers.