In a video released by the channel BBC Earth, a remarkably large group of Libinia emarginata, popularly known as "Spider crabs" for their intimidatingly long legs, is recorded crawling on the sea floor towards land.
While filming an episode for their documentary Blue Planet II, the BBC crew recorded the march of over a thousand crabs, consuming every smaller living creature in their path.
Observing crab migration is a popular tourist activity at a number of luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean, though not when the monstrous spider crabs are involved.
For example, Australia's Christmas Island celebrates the landing of the (much smaller and cuter) red crabs in late November-early December.
READ MORE: Watch Millions of Crabs Rush Towards the Sea During Their Migration Routine
The video, educational as it is, caused unease on Twitter with numerous users being crept out by the long-legged sea crawlers and their relentless march towards land.
Spiders creep me out. And now so do spider crabs 😫 #BluePlanet2
— Michael 🎅🏻 (@m_mason238) 26 ноября 2017 г.
Oh imagine putting your feet down there when swimming #spidercrabs 😱 #BluePlanet2
— Jane Devonshire (@janecdevonshire) 26 ноября 2017 г.
This is the stuff of nightmares. #SpiderCrabs #BluePlanet https://t.co/RzEN6sh2gA
— Christina McKelvie (@ChristinaSNP) 26 ноября 2017 г.
Spider Crabs = Never going in the sea again. #BluePlanet2 pic.twitter.com/PmByMtm4TN
— OhMyDosh! (@ohmydoshUK) 26 ноября 2017 г.
SPIDER CRABS,
— Paul Mitchell Will Tweet You Now (@mrmitchell78) 26 ноября 2017 г.
SPIDER CRABS,
MARCHES SO MUCH, THEY HAVE NO FLAB,
SPINDLEY LEGS,
UGLY FACE,
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ALL OVER THE PLACE,
LOOK OUT, HERE COMES THE SPIDER-CRAB #BluePlanet2
"These spider crabs were once ordinary crabs, but then they were bitten by radioactive spiders. Now they use their powers to fight sea crime." #BluePlanet2
— Tom Freeman (@SnoozeInBrief) 26 ноября 2017 г.
The fifth episode of the documentary is due to premier 8pm GMT this Sunday on BBC One.