MEIJI UNIVERSITY　Gas Hydrate Research Laboratory Organization for the Strategic Coordination

ROV video clip "Snow crab gets more than it's fill of gas hydrate"

One of the mysteries of gas hydrate deposits in the Sea of Japan is why snow crabs frequently congregate around them. Low temperatures at the seafloor immediately convert methane into icy-looking gas hydrate. Here we see crabs digging around the seeps. Although it looks as if they are eating the gas hydrate, it is actually sticking to their shells. it is unclear whether they are attracted to it in some way or merely find it a hindrance in their foraging for food.