This fossilized crab has been artfully prepared to show the crab emerging from its sandstone matrix. Beautifully preserved, the crab’s legs and claws are in a lifelike position. The preparation of the fossil provides an unobstructed view of the crab’s carapace and belly as it bashfully covers its face with its front claws. While crabs are known in the fossil record as far back as the Jurassic Era, primitive crabs date as far back as the Carboniferous Era, 350 million years ago. The three-dimensionality of this fossil is superb, allowing it to be displayed at a variety of angles.