They are also commonly referred to as "rafting crabs" due to their propensity to live on pelagic marine animals such as sea turtles-- most notably olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea).

P. squamosa consumes mostly plant material and some small amphipods within a relatively full digestive tract.

[5] Mitochondrial DNA shows a clear genetic difference between P. squamosa and other species closely related to it.

[3] The crabs tend to have a large mixture of colors: shades of brown, blue, purple, and orange.

[1] The Scaly Rock Crab is largely contained to its Indo-Pacific habitats, but they have relatively recently been seen in the Mediterranean Sea.