Species Type:
Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Southern spider crab
Size:
Males in this species grow slightly larger than females. They can grow up to one foot (30 centimeters) in leg span.
Diet:
These crabs are slow movers and unaggressive predators. They eat large sea stars and algae.
Range & Habitat:
These crabs can be found in estuaries, bays and coastal communities along the east coast of North America.
Details:
The southern spider crabs are tan-brown with triangle-shaped shells. Nine spines on the front of their shells help protect them from predators. They can cover themselves in algae, sponges, and debris to blend into their environment.Their claws are white, small and not very strong. They tend to walk forward rather than scuttle sideways.