Striped Shore Crab
ExploreInvertebrate
Striped Shore Crab
pachygrapsus crassipes
The Striped Shore Crab is a small, colorful crab that loves to scuttle along the sandy shores. With its striped shell, it can easily blend in with the rocks and sand!
Habitat: Rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coastal areas.
Appearance
The Striped Shore Crab is a small, flattened crab with a square-shaped carapace, typically dark purplish-brown to green. It often has two to three prominent light-colored stripes or bands across its back. Its sturdy legs and flattened body help it navigate rocky intertidal zones.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassMalacostracaOrderDecapodaFamilyGrapsidaeGenusPachygrapsus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
A Striped Shore Crab can change its shell color slightly to better hide among rocks.
It uses tiny hairs on its antennae and legs to 'taste' the water and find food.
Its hard outer shell is like a knight's armor, protecting it from enemies and harsh waves.
This crab can walk forwards, backwards, and sideways with impressive speed!
Special abilities
Ability
Tidal Breath
Striped Shore Crab can breathe air for extended periods because of specialized gills, helping it survive out of water at low tide.
Ability
Super Grip
Striped Shore Crab has rough, bristly legs that help them cling tightly to rocks, preventing being washed away by waves.
Ability
Limb Regeneration
Striped Shore Crab can regrow a lost claw or leg over several molts, helping them recover from predator attacks.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 5 cm
- Lifespan
- 3 years
Diet & Feeding
This adaptable crab eats many things found on the shore, from algae to small dead animals.
Primary Foods
- algae
- detritus
- barnacles
- small snails
- dead fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
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Western Gull
Larus occidentalis
Gulls frequently snatch crabs from exposed shores.
eaten by
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Raccoons forage for these crabs along the waterline at night.
hunts
Acorn Barnacle
Balanus glandula
Crabs scrape barnacles from rocks to consume their soft bodies.
eats
Sea Lettuce
Ulva lactuca
This crab grazes on various types of green and red algae.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Pacific crabstriped crab
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Striped Shore Crab?
5 cm
How long does Striped Shore Crab live?
3 years
What does Striped Shore Crab eat?
This adaptable crab eats many things found on the shore, from algae to small dead animals.
Where is Striped Shore Crab usually found?
Rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coastal areas.
How does Striped Shore Crab hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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