News from Newquay
CLAWS! - INCREDIBLE CRUSTACEANS
Visitors to Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy close encounters with weird and wonderful crabs and lobsters from around the world as part of their 'Claws - Incredible Crustaceans' weekend event this weekend (May 3rd - 4th).
From comical cleaner shrimps and bizarre-looking sponge crabs to giant lobsters and mighty edible crabs this exciting event offers a fascinating insight into the incredible world of crustaceans.
Blue Reef is home to more than 10 species of crustaceans. Among them is a giant lobster nicknamed Burt who was brought in by a local fisherman with a damaged claw.
Other crabby characters include Crusty the nut-crushing edible crab, and Bruce an amazing mantis shrimp with a claw so powerful it's capable of smashing glass!
Blue Reef's David Waines said: "Our giant crabs and lobsters are always extremely popular with visitors and this weekend event provides the perfect opportunity to let people find out more about crustaceans in general."
As well as regular talks, activities and meet the creatures sessions throughout the day, visitors will also be able to follow the 'Claws Quiz' and join 'Claws Tours' to discover more about some of the marine world's most incredible creatures.
Dotted around the aquarium are special Claws information points where visitors will be able to come face to face with some of the amazing members of the crustacean family and learn more about them.
Crustaceans are jointed-legged animals whose bodies are usually covered with a hard exoskeleton - Crabs, lobsters, shrimps and prawns are all crustaceans.
They are found from the icy waters of the Arctic and Antarctic to the tropical seas of the equator. In fact crustaceans are so widespread scientists have compared them to insects on land.
Their size ranges from tiny creatures that could fit on a pinhead to true giants of the deep with three-metre claw spans!
