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Story: Crabs, rock lobsters and other crustaceans

A native crab

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A native crab

This crab (Cancer novaezelandiae) is snuggled amongst a group of tube worms. Commonly known as the pie-crust crab or ngāhorohoro, it usually hides in coastal sands, leaving the top of its shell (carapace) exposed. It is a nocturnal predator and feeds on shellfish, cracking open bivalve shells with powerful pincers.

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Ryan Photographic

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How to cite this page

Niel Bruce and Alison MacDiarmid, Crabs, rock lobsters and other crustaceans – Crustaceans – bugs of the sea, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8227/a-native-crab (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Niel Bruce and Alison MacDiarmid, published 2 March 2009.