The spinous spider crab is protected by a beautiful, rounded red carapace that can measure up to 25cm long and 18cm wide. In large individuals, this carapace is a little wider than its length. In smaller ones, it is the opposite. It has distinctive wide spines around the edges that are alternately long and short. It also has a line of small spines across the midline of its back. Of its 6 legs, the front pair are smooth and wide with claws, while the others are slim and covered in tiny hairs. Its eyes can retract and are situated on either side of two sharp spears called a rostrum. This species is endemic to the Mediterranean and is found on all types of bottoms between the surface and about 50m deep. However, the young crabs stay close to the coast between the surface and 20m.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Malacostraca
Scientific name: Maja squinado
French: Grande araignée
Spanish: Centolla, araña de mar
Italian: Granceola