TEMPE — Japanese spider crabs are most often found off the coasts of Japan and Taiwan, in ocean waters as deep at 2,000 feet or as shallow as 160 feet. But not all of them live in those areas. Two members of the species are currently residing in a tank of water less than 10 feet deep smack in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.

They’re stars of “Claws,” a new exhibit that opened recently at Sea Life Arizona, an aquarium located in Arizona Mills, a shopping mall in southern Tempe. The giant crustaceans can weigh as much as 44 pounds, have a leg span of up to 15 feet, and may live as long as 100 years. The two here are much smaller, but because they’re mere youngsters, they’ll get much larger. And, although they look ferocious, they reportedly have gentle dispositions. Also, they’re not very good eating because their legs, although long and impressive, are rather spindly.

Sea Life Arizona is a 125,000 square foot facility that features more than 5,000 sea creatures in 30 display tanks and 12 habitat zones.

For more information, log on to www.sealifus.com or call 480-478-7600.