Rare sponge crab in marine park

The crab was named after cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants

A rare species of crab with a spongy shell has been taken to a marine park in Dorset after fishermen found it searching for food in a lobster pot.

Sponge crabs are more commonly seen off the West coast of Africa or in the Mediterranean but the latest discovery was off Alderney, the Channel Islands.

It is the third recorded sighting of the species in the area in 20 years.

The crab, christened Bob after a children's cartoon character, will go on display at Weymouth Sea Life Park.

Crab camouflage

Experts say it is the only one of its kind at any of the 24 Sea Life attractions across Europe.

Paul Bullimore, marine biologist at the Weymouth park, said: "The sponge that hugs Bob's back is an animal too.

"All a sponge does is continuously pump water through its body and siphon out the minerals and nutrients.

"The crab uses it as camouflage to stay hidden from predators as it forages along rocky areas of seabed."