White hairy crabs? Are they for real?

Of course they are! Meet the newest member of the Kiwaidae or yeti crab family, the "Hoff Crabs" or scientifically known as Kiwa tyleri. 

These small creatures were found by a group of ecoligist from University of Southampton in 2010, while they were in search of a new yeti in Antarctica.

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Still refusing to believe their existence? Let these five facts help you understand. 

1. Origin of the name Hoff Crab and Kiwa tyleri. 

The name "Hoff Crab" was taken from the "Baywatch" actor David Hasselhoff. These yeti crabs have similar characteristic with Hasselhoff — their chests are hairy too. 

Meanwhile, its scientific name Kiwa tyleri was given to the species to honor Paul Tyler, a prominent British polar and deep-ocean biologist from Southampton University. 

2. Hoff Crabs live in a hostile environment. 

They are the only species of the yeti clan known to live in the Southern Ocean of Antarctica. They were found 2,000 meters below sea level, according to the report of National Geographic. 

The water temperature down in East Scotia Ridge is about zero degrees Celsius. For these crabs to survive, they have to crowd around volcanic rock systems known as hydrothermal vents.

Here's the thing though, the heat of the vent can kill them if they get too close. On the other hand, they will freeze if they get too far. 

As a result, they cluster together much closer compare to the other species.

3. Strange death happens to female yetis.

Researchers believe that yeti eggs can only be bred in a cooler environment. Sven Thatje, marine evolutionary ecology associate professor at the University of Southampton, said that the eggs would not survive if they are too close to the hydrothermal vents that emit sulfur. 

This being said, mother yetis have to make a sacrifice, BBC News has learned. When she-crabs move out from the site to breed the eggs, they no longer feed, so they starve and eventually die. 

4. Hoff Crabs have their own garden to grow their food. 

Scientists found that yetis feed by growing food, bacteria, in their own yard. The hairs on their bodies are the perfect spot. 

If they get hungry, they can just tug them off and ingest them. Their setae or hairs also permit them to remove bacteria growing on chimney vents, according to News Discovery. 

5. Hoff Crabs' legs have spikes. 

Spikes were found on ends of their legs, according to researchers. This distinct characteristic allows them to climb sheer surfaces. 

Kiwa puravida and Kiwa hirsute, the other yeti species found living in the Pacific basin near Antarctica and Costa Rica, don't have this kind of advanced feature. 

For more photos, see this link. 

TagsHoff Crab, Scientific name, crab, Yeti Crab, listicle