Blue Reef Aquarium

Visitors to Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to enjoy some close encounters with a variety of weird and wonderful crabs and lobsters as part of their 'Claws - Incredible Crustaceans' event this weekend (May 3^rd - 4^th).

From comical cleaner shrimps and bizarre-looking horseshoe crabs to giant lobsters and mighty edible crabs this exciting event offers a fascinating insight into the incredible world of crustaceans.

Blue Reef's Anna Etchells 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 enjoy 'Claws Encounters' 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!