Dungeness crab

Metacarcinus magister

The Dungeness crab is a tasty crab found along the Pacific Coast. It has a hard shell and big claws, and it loves to hide in the sand and rocks.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Dungeness crab has a broad, oval-shaped shell that ranges from reddish-brown to purplish. Its most distinctive features are its large, strong claws tipped with white, setting it apart from other brown-shelled crabs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassMalacostracaOrderDecapodaFamilyCancridaeGenusMetacarcinus
Dungeness crab
solitary trait badgescavenger trait badgelongevous trait badgecoastal trait badge
Dungeness crab

Category

Invertebrate

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A female Dungeness crab can carry over a million tiny eggs under her tail!

Their mighty claws are strong enough to crack open tough clam and oyster shells for a meal!

These clever crabs taste and smell the ocean floor using special sensors on their legs!

When they grow, Dungeness crabs shed their entire old shell in a process called molting!

Special abilities

Ability

Quick Burrower

Dungeness crab can quickly burrow into sand because of its powerful legs, which helps them hide from predators.

Ability

Regenerative Limbs

Dungeness crab can regrow lost limbs because of its amazing biology, which helps them survive attacks from predators.

Ability

Crushing Claws

Dungeness crab has powerful, white-tipped claws that help them crush tough shells of prey and defend against threats.

Measurements & details

Length
10-25 cm
Weight
0.5-2 kg
Lifespan
8-13 years
Top Speed
2 km/h

Diet & Feeding

A Dungeness crab is an omnivore, eating small animals and plants found on the seafloor.

Age differences: Younger crabs eat smaller prey and more detritus.

Primary Foods

  • clams
  • small fish
  • marine worms
  • other crustaceans
  • algae
  • detritus

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris

Sea otters use rocks to crack open their hard shells.

eaten by

Giant Pacific Octopus

Enteroctopus dofleini

Giant Pacific octopuses grab and eat Dungeness crabs.

eaten by

Pacific Halibut

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Large halibut prey on Dungeness crabs on the ocean floor.

eats

California Mussel

Mytilus californianus

Dungeness crabs use their strong claws to crack mussel shells.

Traits

Also known as

Dungeness

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be careful around crabs; their claws can pinch!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Dungeness crab?

10-25 cm

How much does Dungeness crab weigh?

0.5-2 kg

How long does Dungeness crab live?

8-13 years

How fast can Dungeness crab move?

2 km/h

What does Dungeness crab eat?

A Dungeness crab is an omnivore, eating small animals and plants found on the seafloor.

Where is Dungeness crab usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Dungeness crab hunt?

Ambush

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

More Invertebrate