What are the heavily armoured front claws of the yabby referred to as?
Answer
chelae
The ten legs possessed by the yabby include a pair of front appendages that are heavily armoured and specifically known as chelae. These claws are multi-functional tools critical for the survival and maintenance activities of the crustacean. They are utilized extensively for defense against potential threats, for the process of constructing and maintaining their complex burrow systems within muddy substrates, and for grasping and manipulating food items before consumption.
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