What is the blue crab related to?
Habitat and Range Blue crabs are found in brackish coastal lagoons and estuaries from Nova Scotia, through the Gulf of Mexico, and as far south as Uruguay. Close relatives of the shrimp and lobster, these bottom-dwelling omnivores have a prickly disposition and are quick to use their sharp front pincers.
What makes a blue crab blue?
Blue crabs have blue legs and claws and olive to grayish blue bodies. The color comes mainly from the blue pigment alpha-crustacyanin and the red pigment astaxanthin. When blue crabs are cooked, heat deactivates the blue pigment and turns the crab red.
Where do blue crabs originate?
The blue crab native range is along the Atlantic Coast of the Americas from Nova Scotia to Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico.
Are blue crabs omnivores?
Blue crabs are opportunistic omnivores. They will eat nearly anything they can find, including bivalves, dead fish, plant and animal detritus, and even other crabs!
How rare is the blue crab?
a one in a billion
“The blue crab that we showed today is actually a one in a billion chance,” she said. “This is a genetic mutation that occurs, very rare.” Much like chameleons or flounder, crabs have chromatophores which allow them to change color and fool predators.
What’s the scientific name for the blue crab?
Blue Crab Taxonomy Rank Name Common Name Genus: Callinectes Greek word for beautiful swimmer (Calli Species: Sapidus Latin word for savory. Scientific name: Callinectes sapidus Callinectes sapidus Authority: Rathbun, 1896
How are blue crabs different from other crabs?
Blue crabs belong to the family Portunidae and one thing that separates crabs in this family from other crabs is that the portunids all have a special pair of swimming legs. Sapidus, finally, means tasty or savory. So, the scientific name of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, means a “beautiful swimmer that tastes good.”
Where does the blue crab live in the world?
The blue crab is widely distributed along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from Nova Scotia through the Gulf of Mexico and as far south as Uruguay. It also has been introduced in other parts of the world.
What does Callinectes mean on a blue crab?
Callinectes, means beautiful swimmer, and the blue crab is indeed a good swimmer. Blue crabs belong to the family Portunidae and one thing that separates crabs in this family from other crabs is that the portunids all have a special pair of swimming legs. Sapidus, finally, means tasty or savory.
The blue crab’s scientific name, Callinectes sapidus, translates to “savory beautiful swimmer.” Large males, called Jimmies by fishermen, have brilliant blue claws and legs. The mature females, or “sooks,” have bright orange tips on their claws.
Blue crabs belong to the family Portunidae and one thing that separates crabs in this family from other crabs is that the portunids all have a special pair of swimming legs. Sapidus, finally, means tasty or savory. So, the scientific name of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, means a “beautiful swimmer that tastes good.”
Where do blue crabs live in the Gulf of Mexico?
The blue crab is a highly sought-after shellfish. Blue crabs live up and down the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico and are caught by both commercial and recreational fishermen. Its scientific name— Callinectes sapidus —translated from Latin means ‘beautiful savory swimmer.’ Blue crabs are the most valuable fishery in the Chesapeake Bay.
Are there blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay?
Chesapeake Bay, North Carolina, and Louisiana support the largest blue crab fisheries. Although other small swimming crabs in this family ( Portunidae) occur locally, only the blue crab has any commercial or recreational importance in South Carolina. The blue crab’s scientific name, Callinectes sapidus, translates to “savory beautiful swimmer.”