2. Morphological Characteristics: The carapace of the Christmas Island red crab can be up to 116 millimeters long, weighs 415-480 grams, and is round with closed gills. The chelicerae are usually the same size unless one of them is injured or dislodged; in this case, the injured limb regenerates and appears smaller during regeneration. Male crabs are generally larger than females, but females have a much wider umbilicus (abdomen) and usually have smaller chelae. The broad umbilicus of female crabs does not become more pronounced until the third year of growth. The dorsal shell is black, and the abdomen and limbs are reddish, like a roasted lobster; the limbs are short, thick, and meaty.