Maja squinado, commonly known as the European spider crab, is a species of crab found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The name "maja squinado" is derived from the Spanish word "maja," meaning attractive or elegant, and the Latin word "squinado," meaning bent or crooked. Synonyms for this species include the velvet crab, spider crab, and five-spotted spider crab. These names are a reference to its distinctive appearance, characterized by a spiky exoskeleton and long, thin legs. The spider crab is an important species in many traditional dishes and is also of interest to marine biologists due to its unique behavior and life cycle.