Sun, 03 May 2026 11:01:22 +0000

You Won’t Believe What This Tiny Crab Carries in Its Shell Have you ever wondered what’s really inside the shell of a tiny crab you spot scuttling along the tide pools or sandy shores? Hold on—because the surprising answer might just astonish you. Recent discoveries reveal that these miniature marine crabs carry more than just their own weight—they transport entire shuttlecocks for the ocean. Yes, you read that right: tiny crabs literally carry ping-pong balls in their shells! ## A Magical Marine Marvel: The Tiny Crab That Carries Off the Beaches While small in stature—often no larger than a fingernail—these seemingly fragile crabs showcase nature’s incredible ingenuity. Found predominantly in tropical and temperate coastal regions, these elusive crustaceans have evolved a unique survival strategy centered around their shells. Unlike most crabs that rely solely on armor for protection, many species of tiny marine crabs actively or passively carry lightweight objects in their calcified shells, with hollow water globules, discarded artifacts, and surprisingly, what homeowners and researchers have described as miniature ping-pong balls.