Meet The Viral Baby King Crab That’s Captivating The Internet

January 13, 2025

A tiny crustacean from the depths of the Gulf of Mexico has become an overnight sensation! NOAA Fisheries shared a fascinating video of a juvenile king crab, scientifically known as Neolithodes agassizii. But it’s not just the crab’s species that’s turning heads—it’s its one-of-a-kind “hairstyle” that has people talking.

The baby king crab, believed to have hitched a ride on a plastic bag removed from the seafloor, has quickly charmed thousands of fans online.

Social media users are embracing the quirky crustacean, with one even dubbing it the “official mascot of 2025.”

"Oh. My. Goodness. WOW.

That was our reaction too, to seeing the cutest, spikiest, tiniest little crab in the world," NOAA Fisheries captioned their video.