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All the United States New Jersey New Brunswick Japanese Giant Spider Crab
AO Edited

Japanese Giant Spider Crab

This exoskeleton was gifted to Rutgers University by Japan for its role in educating some of the first Japanese citizens to study outside the country.

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Added By
John Meszaros
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The Spider Crab hanging on the second floor balcony of the museum.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
The Spider Crab hanging on the second floor balcony of the museum.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Back and foot bones of a crocodile-like Rutiodon.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Dinosaur tracks and a hypothetical model of their maker.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
A mastodon skeleton in the Geology Museum.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Exterior of Geology Hall, where the Geology Museum is located.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
A view of the Geology Museum with the spider crab in the background.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of an ammonite fossil on display in the museum.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Another view of the crab mounted on the museum wall.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
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About

During the Meiji Restoration of the late 1800s, the Japanese government sent many students abroad to learn more about Western society to better modernize their home country. 

One of the first American schools to accept Japanese students was Rutgers University in New Jersey. Rutgers is rooted in the Dutch Reform Church and missionaries from this denomination in Japan encouraged young, ambitious students to apply to their school. 

As a gift of gratitude, the Japanese government sent Rutgers the exoskeleton of a giant spider crab native to the island nation’s waters. The preserved crustacean, which measures 11 feet wide, was mounted on the wall of Geology Hall, the building that would later become the Rutgers Geology Museum. 

The spider crab hung in the hall for nearly a hundred years, but by the 1980s it had cracked and deteriorated so much so that it was taken down. It remained in storage for over two decades and was almost discarded until it was rescued by the university and restored by biological artist Bruce Mohn in 2015.

Today, the spider crab can be found on display on the second floor of the geology museum, serving as a reminder of the university’s connection with Japan.

In addition to the crab exoskeleton, the museum also features exhibits on fossils and minerals from New Jersey, including a fully assembled mastodon skeleton, fossilized dinosaur footprints, and the leg bones of a prehistoric, crocodile-like phytosaur. 

Related Tags

Crabs History & Culture Fossils Museums

Know Before You Go

The Rutgers Geology Museum is located on the 2nd floor of Geology Hall. Street parking is available on most nearby streets.

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Added By

Johnmeszaros

Edited By

MrCarl

  • MrCarl

Published

December 30, 2020

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Sources
  • https://geologymuseum.rutgers.edu/about-us-geology-museum/spotlight/96-giant-spider-crab-restored-after-35-year-absence
  • https://www.rutgers.edu/news/giant-crab-exoskeleton-exile-25-years-returns-rutgers-geology-museum
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutgers+Geology+Museum/@40.4986387,-74.4488552,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c3c653fe141105:0x292cbcb6042731c!8m2!3d40.4986346!4d-74.4466665
Japanese Giant Spider Crab
85 Somerset St
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901
United States
40.498635, -74.446667
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Nearby Places

Cornelius Low House

Piscataway, New Jersey

miles away

East Jersey Old Town Village

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miles away

Evans/Ellis Cemetery

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miles away

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New Brunswick

New Jersey

Places 2

Nearby Places

Cornelius Low House

Piscataway, New Jersey

miles away

East Jersey Old Town Village

Piscataway, New Jersey

miles away

Evans/Ellis Cemetery

New Brunswick, New Jersey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Brunswick

New Brunswick

New Jersey

Places 2

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