Why do decorator crabs dress up? Are they trying to be fancy, or do their costumes serve a purpose? Do they use duct tape or hot glue to stick slimy seaweed and prickly urchins to their shells? Learn how and why decorator crabs decorate themselves and what their elaborate outfits teach us about our own appearances.

Here’s our trail map:

Why Do Decorator Crabs Dress Up?
How Do Decorator Crabs Stick Things to Themselves?
What Happens When a Decorator Crab Molts Its Shell?
How Can We Dress Ourselves in God’s Goodness?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Discover God’s designs in crabs and other ocean creatures with Apologia’s Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/
Explore all of Apologia’s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/
Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/
Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcast
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
Free Decorator Crab Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-decorator-crabs-dress-up/
Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“...God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (NCV)

“Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.” Psalm 51:10 (NCV)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Majoidea: A superfamily of crabs in the ocean commonly called spider crabs.
Marine Crabs: Species of crabs designed to live in ocean waters with gills to breathe underwater, and spend most of their time in the water.
Land Crabs: Species of crabs designed to live on land with specially made gill chambers for breathing.
Decorator Crab: Crab species in the Majoidea superfamily that attach materials and living things from their environment to their shells for camouflage.
Exoskeleton: A hard outer covering that protects an animal’s body. As the animal grows, it molts its exoskeleton and grows a new bigger one.
Carapace: The hard top part of a crab’s exoskeleton. It covers and protects the crab’s head and body.
Setae: Tiny bristles or hairs on an animal’s body. They can help with gripping, sticking, or sensing. Decorator crabs have setae on their exoskeleton to attach materials to.
Mutualistic Relationship: Where two living things benefit from one another.

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Why Do Decorator Crabs Dress Up? Lesson 114