A limb or leg-like appendage bearing a claw or pincer, especially the large pincer-bearing legs of crustaceans like crabs and lobsters.
From Greek 'chele' (claw) plus Latin 'pes' (foot/leg), literally meaning 'claw-foot.' Standard terminology in crustacean anatomy.
A crab's cheliped isn't just a weapon—it's also a sensitive sensory organ, a manipulation tool, and a courtship display object. The largest cheliped ever belonged to a giant spider crab, reaching over 3 feet long!
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