# Cancer productus The red rock crab is a fun crab that lives in the ocean and loves to scuttle around on the rocks. They have a hard shell and can be red or brown, making them look like little crabs in a colorful costume! - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Cancer productus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cancer_productus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Taollan82 ; Kirt L. Onthank, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cancer_productus.jpg) ## Appearance The Cancer productus is a stocky, medium-sized mammal with coarse, reddish-brown fur, often mottled for camouflage. It has short, powerful legs ending in robust claws, and small, rounded ears, distinguishing it from longer-limbed forest mammals. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Malacostraca - **Order:** Decapoda - **Family:** Cancridae - **Genus:** Cancer ## Interesting facts - Its fur changes thickness to stay warm in winter. - They communicate with each other using unique chirping sounds! - This mammal can create complex underground tunnels! - Young Cancer productus learn to forage from their mothers. ## Special abilities - **Burrowing Expert:** Cancer productus can dig extensive burrows because of its powerful claws and strong forelimbs that help them create safe underground homes. - **Night-time Navigator:** Cancer productus has an excellent sense of smell and hearing that helps them find food and avoid predators in the dark. - **Camouflage Master:** Cancer productus can blend seamlessly with rocky terrain due to its mottled fur patterns that help them stay hidden from watchful eyes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-50 cm - **Weight:** 5-10 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-6 - **Gestation:** 45-60 days ## Diet & Feeding This omnivorous mammal enjoys a varied diet of plants, insects, and small animals found in its habitat. - **Primary Foods:** roots, berries, insects, small rodents, mushrooms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — A primary predator in its natural range. - **Depends on:** Garry Oak (*Quercus garryana*) — Eats fallen acorns and shelters beneath its roots. - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Preys on these small rodents during nocturnal foraging. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful around crabs; their pincers can pinch if they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cancer productus? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cancer productus? 30-50 cm ### How much does Cancer productus weigh? 5-10 kg ### How long does Cancer productus live? 5-8 years ### How fast can Cancer productus move? 20 km/h ### What does Cancer productus eat? This omnivorous mammal enjoys a varied diet of plants, insects, and small animals found in its habitat. ### Where is Cancer productus usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Cancer productus hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Saxman Totem Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saxman-totem-park) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Monterey Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monterey-bay-aquarium-california) — California, US · Aquarium - [Monterey Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monterey-bay-aquarium) — California, US · Zoo - [Audubon Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-canyon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Port Townsend Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/port-townsend-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Schmitz Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schmitz-park) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Cancer productus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cancer-productus) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Cancer productus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cancer-productus)