National Museum of the Philippines - Iloilo

22/06/2026

SLEEPY SPONGE CRAB (Tumidodromia dormia) or the common sponge crab is one of the most fascinating crustaceans found in tropical marine environments. It belongs to the family Dromiidae, a group commonly known as sponge crabs due to their remarkable habit of carrying living organisms or other materials on their backs for protection and camouflage. Tumidodromia dormia is recognized as the largest known species of sponge crab and is currently the only species under the genus Tumidodromia.

This species inhabits shallow tropical and subtropical marine environments, including coral reefs, rocky seabeds, muddy bottoms, and other benthic habitats. It is commonly associated with reef ecosystems where it can find food, shelter, and materials used for camouflage. Records show that it can occur from shallow coastal waters to depths exceeding 100 meters. They are found in the Indo-Pacific, and their broad distribution reflects their adaptability to a variety of marine habitats.

A resourceful animal, the sleepy sponge crab carries a sponge on its back. Using its claws, it carefully selects and cuts a sponge to fit its back. The sponge is held in place by the hind legs. This adaptation helps conceal the crab from predators and allows it to blend into its environment. In some cases, sponge crabs have even been observed carrying other materials when suitable sponges are unavailable. Scientists believe that this behavior provides more than just camouflage. Some sponges contain chemical compounds that predators find distasteful or toxic, meaning the crab may gain an additional layer of defense by carrying them.

What makes this adaptation even more remarkable is the crab's specialized hind legs. Unlike its walking legs, the last pairs of legs are modified and curve upward, functioning almost like hooks that securely grip and hold the sponge in place while the crab moves across the seafloor. This unique anatomical feature demonstrates the close relationship between form and function in nature, where physical structures evolve to support highly specialized survival strategies.

Check the sleepy sponge crab (without the sponge) specimen at the Amlig Gallery of . While this may seem like a missing feature, it shows that some aspects of life such as behavior, movement, camouflage, sounds, and ecological interactions cannot always be preserved within a display case.

June is Philippine Environment Month. Help protect Sustainable Development Goal 14 .






References:
Sleepy Sponge Crab (Tumidodromia dormia). (2026). iNaturalist. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/968919-Tumidodromia-dormia

WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Tumidodromia dormia (Linnaeus, 1763). (2026). Marinespecies.Org. https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=440119

Muñoz, I., Enrique, G.-R. J., Chillón, Begoña Sánchez, & Cuesta, J. A. (2025). Tumidodromia dormia. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1563339

22/06/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT: The National Museum of the Philippines - Iloilo is temporarily CLOSED to the public on June 23, 2026 (Tuesday) from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM for monthly pest control.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

22/06/2026

THANK YOU! The National Museum of the Philippines Iloilo congratulates the students of Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology -- Barotac Nuevo Campus in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and Northern Iloilo State University Victorino Salcedo Campus in Sara, Iloilo for completing the Student Internship Program last May 2026.

The Tourism Management students underwent a training including lectures on visitor management, tour script writing, mock guiding, and complaint handling before they were allowed to render frontline services. The students also learned events management, rendering service during the launching of exhibition, “Nanding: Handumanan sang Panublion ni Fernando Lopez” last April 2026. Through this training, the students' confidence and self-esteem are reinforced, which we believe are important to make them excel and enjoy the work they are doing.

The intership program is under the supervision of Phillippe Tanchuan, with the help of fellow Museum Guide, Yoel Suyo and other museum staff.

From your , madamu gid nga salamat!

21/06/2026

LOOK: 100 Volumes of Western Visayas cultural identity officially unveiled and distributed

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

ATTRACTIVE & TOXIC. Among the many fascinating inhabitants of coral reefs is the red egg crab (Atergatis integerrimus), a species known for its smooth, rounded body and reddish-orange coloration. Found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, this crab inhabits coral reefs, rocky shores, and reef flats, where it often seeks shelter beneath rocks and within crevices during the day.

Its common name, red egg crab, comes from its distinctive appearance. The broad, highly convex carapace resembles the shape of an egg, while its bright coloration makes it one of the most recognizable reef crabs.

The red egg crab belongs to the family Xanthidae, a group of crabs often associated with coral reef ecosystems. Like many reef-associated crustaceans, it contributes to the ecological balance of its habitat by feeding on a variety of food sources, including algae, small vertebrates, and organic matter. Through its feeding activities, it participates in nutrient cycling and helps maintain the health of reef communities.

But did you know that they are also known to contain potent marine toxins? These toxins are believed to be acquired through the diet and associated microorganisms and may serve as protection against predators. The toxins remain active even after cooking, which is why this species is not for human consumption.

Beyond its ecological significance, the red egg crab highlights the adaptation found within coral reef ecosystems. Its bright coloration, well-built body, and chemical defenses reflect millions of years of revolutionary responses to life in a highly competitive marine environment.

Species such as the red egg crab remind us that coral reefs are more than just collections of corals and fish. They are complex ecosystems supported by countless organisms, each playing a unique role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity.

June is Philippine Environment Month. Let us support Sustainable Development Goal 14: by helping conserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity to ensure that reef communities, from corals and fish to crabs and other invertebrates, continue for future generations.

View a taxidermied red egg crab at the of . Entrance is FREE. The museum is open daily, from 9AM to 5PM.

18/06/2026

CITY OF LOVE, STAMPED! Their quest for Philippine symbols and imageries and their love for Filipino culture are bringing them to places. Today, we welcome the couple Jeff Maronilla-Seva Quintano and his wife, Ma Charlene Cediillo to the National Museum of the Philippines - Iloilo. A tattoo artist, Jeff, and Cha, are advocating and promoting Baybayin through workshops and by incorporating it in his tattoo designs.

To encourage everyone to learn, he published a Baybayin workbook, which you can access at the NMP Iloilo Book Nook.

Their visit to is stamped in their .

18/06/2026

WEAR YOUR PRIDE. It's at National Museum of the Philippines - Iloilo!LGBTQIA++ rights are human rights.

17/06/2026

JUNE IS PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENT MONTH. This year, the call to “End Global Plastic Pollution” and join in the campaign are reiterated. Per UN Environment Programme, 19-23 million tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems, and globally, 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into oceans, rivers, and lakes daily.

In the Philippines, an estimated 2.7 million tons of plastics are discarded annually, according UN Development Program and World Bank. About 20% of these wastes, including the microplastics, end up in the oceans, threatening aquatic life. Citing World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Climate Change Commission said 81 out of 123 marine mammals have ingested or become entangled in plastic, resulting in the deaths of 100,000 marine mammals annually. A stomach full of plastics could result in starvation of the marine mammals. Meanwhile, a study found presence of microplastics in more than 100 aquatic species, including in the seafoods we consume.

In the campaign, will feature marine species featured in Amlig: The Wonders of Negros-Panay exhibition to inspire you to help beat plastic pollution -- either on a personal level by reducing use of plastics, joining in community campaigns on waste reduction, call for pro-environment policies, among other environmental protection initiatives.

Photo courtesy of Ricky D. Alejo

17/06/2026

𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡-𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

According to Kaufmann’s Visayan-English Dictionary, lúnhaw means green, dark green, or fresh (of leaves).

Hil: Naglunhaw pa gid ang kagulangan pagbubo sang ulan.

Eng: The forest turned greener when the rain poured.

Lunhaw, or green, is the color of the leaves of the Red Spanish pineapple, a variety grown in Western Visayas. These green leaves are not only part of the plant’s life but are also harvested to make fibers for traditional weaving. The threads extracted from the leaves are used to create pineapple textiles in the region.

By noticing the green of these pineapple leaves, we see how plants provide both materials and inspiration for the region’s weaving traditions. It is a reminder of the close relationship between the people, their craft, and the natural environment.

The National Museum of the Philippines - Iloilo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are located at the Old Prison of Iloilo, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗼.: (333) 327 3782
𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀: [email protected]
𝗠𝗮𝗽: https://bit.ly/4bVLHIg