Crab

Crabs are usually found in the rock pools and coral reefs of shallow ocean waters, but some can be found in deep water, while others live on land or in freshwater. Two of the most common varieties are Green and Purple Shore Crabs.

Crabs have a flat body with a thick shell, 2 feeler antennae, and 2 eyes on stalks. They have 5 pairs of legs, including 2 claws, and move sideways. Most only reach a few inches across, but a few are much larger. Crabs have no backbone. Their hard shell supports them and protects them from predators. They eat plants and animals but feed mainly on algae.

Fertilized eggs are glued onto the female's abdomen and released as newly-hatched larvae. The juveniles moult several times as they grow and become adults.

Could it be? Horseshoe Crabs are not a true Crab; instead, they are closely related to Spiders and Scorpions. Porcelain Crabs look a lot like a Crab, but they only have 4 pairs of legs. They will shed a leg to escape from a predator.

Did you know? Crabs communicate with each other by drumming or waving their pincers.

See Also: Barnacle, Blue Mussel, Clam, Harbor Seal, River Otter, Sand Dollar, Sea Anemone, Sea Jelly, Sea Lion, Sea Otter, Sea Star, Sea Urchin

Easy - numerous and usually easy to spot in the habitats listed at the appropriate time of year.

Oceans are large bodies of salt water. This habitat includes seas and oceans as well as their beaches and coastlines.

Wetlands are low-lying areas that are covered by water all or most of the time and support a variety of aquatic plants. This habitat includes rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, bogs, and marshes.