Species Type:
Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Dungeness crab
Size:
Male dungeness crabs can reach 23 centimeters (9 inches) in length while females reach 18 centimeters (7 inches).
Diet:
As opportunistic feeders, these crabs eat bivalves, fish, shrimp, isopods, and other marine organisms.
Range & Habitat:
Dungeness crabs are native to the west coast and can be found from Alaska to California. They like sandy or other soft bottom habitats.
Details:
Ranging from red-brown to purple in color, the Dungeness crab has an oval body with eight legs and two claws. The upper (dorsal) surface of its hard shell, or exoskeleton, is smooth. During mating season, females molt (shed their exoskeleton), and males search for molting females to mate with. They prey or scavenge on worms, shrimp, small clams, fish.