By Elizabeth Hunter

A robot crab called "Wavy Dave" has helped scientists learn about crab mating behaviors.

Male fiddler crabs have one oversized

In the new study, led by the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) at the University of Exeter, a robot crab was set up to wave a

When the robot crab - named "Wavy Dave" - was waving, real males waved for longer in response, and they were less likely to retreat into their burrows, especially when the robot had a small

The study suggests male crabs notice the behavior of rivals and can adjust their behavior in response.

Dr. Joe Wilde said, “We know many animals adjust their sexual displays if rivals are nearby, but less is known about how they react to the actual displays themselves.

“If you own a shop and your rivals sta

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