• Blue Crab

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  Blue crab information and facts:

  Type: Invertebrate
  Diet: Omnivore
  Average lifespan in the wild: 1 to 3 years
  Size: 4 in (10.2 cm) long; 9 in (23 cm) wide
  Weight: 1 to 2 lbs (0.45 to 0.9 kg)
  Group name: Cast
  Did you know? Female blue crabs mate only once in their lives.

• The blue crab get its name from the Greek, Callinectes sapidus. Calli means beautiful and nectes means swimmer.

• Blue Crab video.
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  Where does the blue crab live?

  The blue crab is one of the most common marine invertebrates in the western Atlantic. The common range of the blue crab is from New England to Florida. Periodic appearances of the blue crab have also been noted in parts of Europe, most likely due to transportation of the species in ships ballast. The blue crab may be found in salt, fresh and brackish waters, but is most prevalent in the latter. The blue crab may grow up to eight inches lengthwise across the shell. Coloring of the crab is blue, blue-green or brown with cream colored markings on top. The bottom of the crab is white with red markings. Once cooked, the crab takes on a scarlet hue.
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  What are the natural enemies of the blue crab?

  The natural predators of the blue crab include eels, drum, rock fish, spot, trout, some sharks, humans, and cownose sting rays.
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  How does the blue crab walk?

  Walking is accomplished with the three pairs of thin walking legs. Blue crabs almost always walk sideways, clearing a path with their sharp lateral spines. The blue crab’s most prominent features are the large and powerful claws, which are used for food gathering, defense, digging and sexual displays.
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  What does the blue crab eat?

  Blue crabs eat a variety of foods, including fishes, oysters, clams, snails, shrimp, worms and other crabs. At high tide, crabs may swim into the salt marsh to pluck snails from the tall grass. At times, they burrow into the bottom with only their eye stalks visible, lying in wait for an unsuspecting fish. Crabs are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat what is most available regardless of their size, the season or the area they inhabit.

• Blue Crab images

  
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