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Hooker Crabs Swap Sex for Safety

Male crabs rewarded with sex for defending neighbors

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2009 4:17 AM CST

(Newser) – Selling sex is the key to survival in the seedy world of fiddler crabs, according to Australian researchers. Scientists studying the burrow-dwelling, highly territorial creatures found that male fiddler crabs fought off intruders to protect female neighbors—who lack the male's huge claw—far more often than they would aid male neighbors, and apparently received sex in return.

"Males protected their female neighbors in 95% of instances where the intruder was male, and only 15% of instances where the intruder was female," one researcher said. "This suggests that males don't care who their neighbor is, as long as they are female." Trading sex for benefits has been observed in several other species, including birds and monkeys, but this is the first time such behavior has been seen among crabs.

Two male fiddler crabs fight on a beach on Inhaca Island, Mozambique. (AP Photo/The Australian National University, Tanya Detto)

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Hooker Crabs Swap Sex for Safety

Male crabs rewarded with sex for defending neighbors

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Sin City's Latest: Virginity-Auction Reality Show

Australia threatened producer with prostitution charges

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The birds usually mate for life, but not this time

Chimp 'Prostitutes' Trade Sex for Meat

Male chimps who shared hunt spoils had twice as many partners

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Courtship 'song' of desert creatures conveys complex info

Mating Antelope Show Off Knees. Seriously.

Sound communicates animal's strength, prevents conflict

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Hooker Crabs Swap Sex for Safety

Male crabs rewarded with sex for defending neighbors

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

prostitution • Australia • animal behavior • crab • mating

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Sin City's Latest: Virginity-Auction Reality Show

Australia threatened producer with prostitution charges

Pair of British Swans Gets Rare 'Divorce'

The birds usually mate for life, but not this time

Chimp 'Prostitutes' Trade Sex for Meat

Male chimps who shared hunt spoils had twice as many partners

Mating Calls Bare More Than Desire

Courtship 'song' of desert creatures conveys complex info

Mating Antelope Show Off Knees. Seriously.

Sound communicates animal's strength, prevents conflict

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?