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Woah there, tough guy! Maltese freshwater crab captured devouring its poor prey
Sheesh...

Jillian Mallia

Meet Malta’s freshwater crab, or better known as il-qabru. Captured in this insane (and very interesting) photo, the Maltese freshwater crab is seen devouring a poor frog.

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“The qabru is the only freshwater crab that can be found on the Maltese Islands, and lives in valleys that has running freshwater all year round,” It-Temp Madwarna Facebook page notes.

Although he looks like a tough dude, he actually needs protection. Il-qabru is a rare and endangered endemic species and back in 2018, it was declared a National Species by ERA. The crab is a true Maltese hanzir as we say, eating everything and anything - even its own young apparently!

Thinking you’ve seen this guy somewhere before? The Maltese freshwater crab was actually the symbol on the old Maltese Lira’s five cent coin.

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5th June 2020


Jillian Mallia
Written by
Jillian Mallia
A book lover, writer and globetrotter who loves exploring new places and the local gems that the Maltese Islands have to offer. An avid foodie and arts fanatic, Jillian searches the island and beyond for the perfect settings to write about.

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