Howie the crab has recently exploded in popularity online, amassing over 800,000 followers across social media with his adorable antics But behind the tiny hats and lavish meals lies a curious crustacean So what exactly is Howie’s species? Let’s crack this case wide open and get into the nitty gritty details of what type of crab the viral sensation really is.
A Phenomenal Rise to Fame
In April 2022, Howie first appeared on TikTok wearing a mini top hat and posing with fancy foods. The video quickly went viral. Soon after, Howie’s caretaker began posting more clips showcasing the quirky crab living a life of luxury.
Decked out in handmade hats and surrounded by champagne and lobster, Howie’s account @howiethecrab now boasts over 779,000 TikTok followers. His videos spread like wildfire, reaching over 1 million views. It was an overnight launch into internet celebrity for this hat-loving crab.
Getting to Know Howie’s Owner
The mastermind behind Howie is Jess Davis, a preschool teacher and hobby crab-keeper in Washington state. Jess found Howie at a local aquatics store and was instantly charmed by his unique personality.
She runs all of Howie’s social accounts herself and even handcrafts each of his tiny costumes. Jess also built elaborate enclosures so Howie can live like crab royalty. According to her, Howie “loves wearing hats” and is always excited to take photos showing off his latest headpiece.
Identifying Howie’s Species
With his newfound fame, many are wondering — what is Howie’s specific crab species? After careful examination, Howie has been identified as a Hawaiian red crab, with the scientific name Grapsus tenuicrustatus.
Native to the Hawaiian Islands, these crabs are typically reddish-brown with black banding on their claws. Adults grow to an average size of 2-3 inches wide. At 1.5 inches across, Howie is on the smaller side.
Also called rock crabs or shore crabs, the Hawaiian red crab thrives in tropical coastal regions. It uses its strong claws and legs to nimbly climb rocks, coral, and mangrove trees.
Hawaiian Red Crab Care Tips
For fans hoping to adopt their own hat-loving crab, proper care for Hawaiian reds is crucial. Here are some key facts:
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Habitat: Rocks, caves, driftwood for climbing. Sand substrate.
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Temperature: 74-84°F. Avoid large fluctuations.
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Humidity: High around 75-85%.
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Diet: Omnivores that eat algae, plants, mollusks and more. Calcium is vital.
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Lifespan: Approximately 3-4 years in captivity.
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Handling: Gentle handling once accustomed. Mostly prefer to be alone.
Life in the Lap of Luxury
While most Hawaiian red crabs live low-key lives on tropical shores, Howie is clearly an exception. His owner spares no expense, bringing him on glamorous photo shoots and building lavish enclosures.
Howie rubs shoulders with other famous animals and his popularity shows no signs of declining. He receives offers for merchandising deals and TV appearances. For this little crab, the world is his oyster (once cracked open and served to him on a silver platter).
Mystery Solved
The case is closed – Howie has been definitively identified as a Hawaiian red crab. Though many ocean mysteries remain, the question of What Type of Crab is Howie has been answered. We can rest easy knowing this lovable crustacean is living the good life as a viral superstar.
So while Howie may just be an ordinary crab species leading an extraordinary life, he still captivates millions with his hats and posh meals. For now, we can delight in the hilarious antics of this clever crab online and admire the loving life his owner has provided. One thing’s for sure – Howie is one fascinating critter we won’t soon forget!
Howie may be entering her final molt phase.
Sadly, those who love Howie the most may soon have to say goodbye. Porter has informed her many fans that Howie is entering into what appears to be her last molt. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes molting as the process that crabs and other crustaceans go through during a growth spurt. This can be a very painful time in a crabs life, since it involves separating their skin from their shells. Article continues below advertisement
Porter says that Howie is unlikely to survive this final transition, since she has already exceeded the traditional life expectancy for her breed. While many of Howies fans remain hopeful that this isnt the case, a lot of them have set up a molt watch alongside Porter, counting down the days until it begins. According to Howies human, it could start sometime in April, which my mean that Howies time as TikToks favorite crustacean may soon come to a close.
Hopefully Porters math is a little off, or else Howies time in captivity has added a few extra years onto her life, and everyone will get to spend a little more time with the crab. But, if not, I at least hope that Porter is able to take some solace in the fact that she gave Howie the best life ever, all while raising awareness about crabs, both at home and in the wild. AdvertisementMore from Green Matters
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Meet Howie the Crab!
Omaha, Nebr. may seem like an odd place to raise a rainbow crab, but thats exactly what Laura Porter is doing, documenting Howies life online for her fans in the process. The mother and animal lover has been sharing Howies story on social media, welcoming strangers into her and Howies life in an effort to raise awareness about how smart and loving crabs can be.
Porter opened up to People magazine in an exclusive interview, where she explained how the pair came to live together. Apparently, the world has Porters daughter to thank for the pairing, since it was the young girl who initially wanted to bring Howie home. Instead, it became Porter who Howie bonded with, and the pair have been inseparable ever since. Article continues below advertisement
Fans have been able to follow along with the familys adventures thanks to Porter, who shares clips of Howie wearing her favorite caps and snacking on her favorite treats. Porter takes her role as Howies caregiver seriously, so not all of her videos are solely for entertainment value. Porter also uses this opportunity to teach her followers how intelligent crabs can be — she communicates through sign language! — while touching on some interesting things about their lifecycle. Article continues below advertisement
Baby Howie The Crab (before we knew her gender)
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