We love sharing stories of unexpected surprises that life brings our way. Recently, a resident from Melbourne's Malvern East neighbourhood stumbled upon something quite puzzling while clearing leaves from their backyard drain pipe. What they discovered left them completely bewildered and in need of some assistance.

Imagine their surprise when they uncovered a collection of severed crustacean legs! Yes, you read that right.

Among the fallen leaves, there lay a bunch of what looked to be crab legs. How did they end up in the drain pipe? Where did they come from? These were the questions that plagued the concerned resident's mind.

A Melbourne resident who was cleaning their backyard drain pipe found multiple crustacean legs in it. Source: Reddit

Determined to solve the mystery, the resident took to the popular social media platform Reddit, sharing images of the discovery and appealing for help. Their post read, ‘Help! Why are there crab legs in my drain?’

Fellow Reddit users flocked to the post with various theories, trying to comprehend the strange discovery. One user suggested the possibility of crabs fighting and losing legs in the process: 'I have seen crabs fighting and taking a leg off their opponent. I think it could be something like that going on.'

Many homeowners have also noticed an interesting phenomenon on their roofs: animal bones scattered across the surface. One user, claiming to be a roofer, shared their experience and suggested that birds might be responsible for this unusual occurrence.

According to their observation, birds could be feasting on animals that find their way onto the roofs. The remains of these meals eventually make their way into the drain pipes, leaving behind a curious display of bones on the rooftops.

Despite the theories, many locals were left just as baffled as the original poster. One user commented, 'The world continues to get weirder,' while another added, 'That's terrifying, and I have nothing to add.'

Common Yabby​

A marine expert from Museums Victoria chimed in to identify the crustacean legs as belonging to the Common Yabby (Cherax destructor). The expert explained that yabbies are common in still bodies of water such as ponds and lakes throughout south-eastern Australia.

The Australian Museum further elaborates on the yabby, noting that the species acquired the name 'destructor' due to the damage its burrowing can cause in farm dam walls and levee banks.

See the video here:

​

Interestingly, the Department of Primary Industries also mentions that it's not uncommon for yabbies to be found with claws or legs missing, either due to competitive fights with other yabbies for food and dominance or trying to escape from predators, such as fish, birds, insects—and even humans.

Another potential reason for the severed limbs is moulting or shedding, which leaves yabbies more vulnerable to predators. However, the origin of the crustacean legs in the drain remains a mystery.

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne resident found many dismembered crustacean legs in their backyard drain pipe, prompting them to seek answers on social media.
• Various theories were suggested by locals, one being birds eating crustaceans on the roof and leaving bones, which then go down the drain pipe.
• A marine expert from Museums Victoria identified the legs as belonging to the Common Yabby (Cherax destructor), a species common in south-eastern Australia.
• The missing limbs could be due to competitive fights with other yabbies, escaping predators, or moulting, which makes them more vulnerable.

Occasionally, life presents us with fascinating puzzles that baffle even experts. In such instances, turning to our neighbours and the wider community can often provide some solace and guidance—even if it's just to know that we're not alone in our bewilderment.

Members, what are your thoughts on this puzzling discovery? What do you think could be the explanation behind finding severed crustacean legs in a backyard drain? We'd love to hear your theories and ideas. Join the discussion and share your insights in the comments below!

 

[Cyberchook]

My first look saw large Huntsman spider legs! What survivalists yabbies are.

 

[Littleboy8]

My first look saw large Huntsman spider legs! What survivalists yabbies are.

and where was the huntsman!be afraid be very afraidI love spiders and all creepy crawlers!

 

[Shane/#]

We love sharing stories of unexpected surprises that life brings our way. Recently, a resident from Melbourne's Malvern East neighbourhood stumbled upon something quite puzzling while clearing leaves from their backyard drain pipe. What they discovered left them completely bewildered and in need of some assistance.

Imagine their surprise when they uncovered a collection of severed crustacean legs! Yes, you read that right.

Among the fallen leaves, there lay a bunch of what looked to be crab legs. How did they end up in the drain pipe? Where did they come from? These were the questions that plagued the concerned resident's mind.

View attachment 22419

A Melbourne resident who was cleaning their backyard drain pipe found multiple crustacean legs in it. Source: Reddit

Determined to solve the mystery, the resident took to the popular social media platform Reddit, sharing images of the discovery and appealing for help. Their post read, ‘Help! Why are there crab legs in my drain?’

Fellow Reddit users flocked to the post with various theories, trying to comprehend the strange discovery. One user suggested the possibility of crabs fighting and losing legs in the process: 'I have seen crabs fighting and taking a leg off their opponent. I think it could be something like that going on.'

Many homeowners have also noticed an interesting phenomenon on their roofs: animal bones scattered across the surface. One user, claiming to be a roofer, shared their experience and suggested that birds might be responsible for this unusual occurrence.

According to their observation, birds could be feasting on animals that find their way onto the roofs. The remains of these meals eventually make their way into the drain pipes, leaving behind a curious display of bones on the rooftops.

Despite the theories, many locals were left just as baffled as the original poster. One user commented, 'The world continues to get weirder,' while another added, 'That's terrifying, and I have nothing to add.'

Common Yabby​

A marine expert from Museums Victoria chimed in to identify the crustacean legs as belonging to the Common Yabby (Cherax destructor). The expert explained that yabbies are common in still bodies of water such as ponds and lakes throughout south-eastern Australia.

The Australian Museum further elaborates on the yabby, noting that the species acquired the name 'destructor' due to the damage its burrowing can cause in farm dam walls and levee banks.

See the video here:

​

Interestingly, the Department of Primary Industries also mentions that it's not uncommon for yabbies to be found with claws or legs missing, either due to competitive fights with other yabbies for food and dominance or trying to escape from predators, such as fish, birds, insects—and even humans.

Another potential reason for the severed limbs is moulting or shedding, which leaves yabbies more vulnerable to predators. However, the origin of the crustacean legs in the drain remains a mystery.

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne resident found many dismembered crustacean legs in their backyard drain pipe, prompting them to seek answers on social media.
• Various theories were suggested by locals, one being birds eating crustaceans on the roof and leaving bones, which then go down the drain pipe.
• A marine expert from Museums Victoria identified the legs as belonging to the Common Yabby (Cherax destructor), a species common in south-eastern Australia.
• The missing limbs could be due to competitive fights with other yabbies, escaping predators, or moulting, which makes them more vulnerable.

Occasionally, life presents us with fascinating puzzles that baffle even experts. In such instances, turning to our neighbours and the wider community can often provide some solace and guidance—even if it's just to know that we're not alone in our bewilderment.

Members, what are your thoughts on this puzzling discovery? What do you think could be the explanation behind finding severed crustacean legs in a backyard drain? We'd love to hear your theories and ideas. Join the discussion and share your insights in the comments below!

Yabbies in the video wow think of all the easy feeds one would have if only being that easy to collect

 

[SGH]

and where was the huntsman!be afraid be very afraidI love spiders and all creepy crawlers!

Spiders do shed their skeleton as they get bigger

 

[Littleboy8]

Spiders do shed their skeleton as they get bigger

Didn’t know that wondered why I see empty skeletons!learn something new every day! Also didn’t know females eat males after mating! Poor males!

 

[SGH]

Didn’t know that wondered why I see empty skeletons!learn something new every day! Also didn’t know females eat males after mating! Poor males!

It's called just desserts

 

[Littleboy8]

It's called just desserts

Hahaha!good one!