With more than a thousand eggs to protect, a boxer crab mother uses living anemones for defense — and even clones them when one is lost.
TRANSCRIPT
- Cuttlefish, a cunning predator that pounces on the unprepared.
Exposed and alone, she is a sitting crab.
But she isn't defenseless.
Her anemones have venomous stings that can deter most predators, a very effective weapon for a mother in need of protection.
In fact, her anemones are such good tools that they are highly prized amongst the crab community.
And this mother has a jealous rival.
Empty clawed, her opponent will do anything to secure her own anemone.
She isn't going to surrender them without a fight.
Overpowered, the mother loses one of her anemones.
The battle leaves her exhausted and vulnerable.
She needs to lie low and buy herself some time.
Because this super mom has yet another trick.
Slowly and meticulously, she dissects her remaining anemone, creating a clone.
Her remarkable problem-solving allows her to keep herself and her young alive for a few more days.