On 14 December 2016 it was time for the crabs. This time, the specimen was a shore crab. The crabs were from Helgoland. They were stored in cool boxes and were still pretty fresh.

Like with the roaches, touching the crabs was a challenge. It was especially funny when one of the crab’s legs got caught on my glove. For a second I thought it was still alive.

We wore gloves because the crabs had been killed with chemicals. It was like euthanasia done by a veterinarian. That is: quick and painless.

Each time I was less afraid of dissecting the animal. It is also really interesting and important for a biologist to know what animals look like inside.

The crab was especially interesting. I never would have thought that the shell is so hard, and that a crab looks so strange inside.

Katrin. 1st semester, Biology