Scientific Classification
(Callinectes sapidus) Kingdom- Animalia Phylum- Arthropoda Class- Malacostraca Order- Decapoda |
Morphology
The blue crab is large, has beautiful colors, blue legs and two tips on the sides of its carapace.The remainder of the body is shaded an olive brown color. The last pair of the Blue Crab's legs are paddle-shaped for swimming.They eat everything. If food is scarce, they will even eat each other. The Latin name means 'tasty synchronized swimmer'. |
Biology
The blue crab's habitat ranges from the low tide line to waters 120 feet (36 m) deep. Females remain in higher salinity portions of an estuary system, especially for egg laying. During colder points in the year, blue crabs tend to flee to warmer waters. Typically this species eats clams, oysters, and mussels as well as almost any vegetable or animal matter. This species will scavenge freshly dead animals but not long dead animals. The crabs will sometimes also eat young crabs. |
Blue Crab Facts
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Vocabulary
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