Claws Weekend at the Blue Reef Aquarium Southsea

Visitors to Portsmouth’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’ event this weekend.

From comical cleaner shrimps and hermit 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 from around the world.

Blue Reef’s Hannah Butt said: “Our 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 throughout the day, visitors will also be able to create from crabby craftworks meet a selection of shell-suited superstars.

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.