Kiwa are a genus of marine decapods that inhabit hydrothermal vents and cold seeps at deep-sea levels. They have three nicknames that are often used instead of their actual name – yeti crab, yeti lobster, or furry lobster.

The yeti crab farms its own food – on its arms

The hairy ‘arms’ of this tiny crab capture all kinds of bacteria that live and grow on the crab. To encourage growth, yeti crabs have been seen waving it’s arms back and forth in seeping vents.

As a result, the bacteria are the primary source of food for the yeti crab.

The yeti crab official name comes from mythology. The Polynesian goddess of shellfish was named Kiwa.