Morphology
Blue crabs have bilateral symmetry. They are blue in color with a pair of front claws, and then a pair of paddle shaped legs for swimming. Male and female crabs can be distinguished by examining their "apron" which can be found on the underside of the crab. Blue crabs can grow up to nine inches and are known for molting/shedding their shell and then growing a new one.
Biology
Blue crabs are known for being able to survive on land as well as in water. To survive on land, blue crabs usually hide in a cool, moist, dark place to keep their gills from drying out, as well as to hide from predators. When winter comes, blue crabs retreat to deep waters into mud or sand. However, this should not be confused with hibernation. Blue crabs simply lie dormant for the winter.
Distribution Map
Importance
The blue crab supports recreational fishery along the east coast of the US. Blue crabs are also common on restaurant menus, and are said to be very tasty. They compromise the most valuable remaining fishery in Chesapeake Bay. and are also said to be major predators of some benthic communities.
Facts
1. Adults can grow up to nine inches.
2. They will eat smaller crabs if they are still soft from a recent molt.
3. Very few crabs live longer than three years.
4. Blue crabs reach maturity in 12 to 18 months.
5. Blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay mate from May to October.
2. They will eat smaller crabs if they are still soft from a recent molt.
3. Very few crabs live longer than three years.
4. Blue crabs reach maturity in 12 to 18 months.
5. Blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay mate from May to October.
Vocabulary
1. Sideways - how crabs walk
2. Molt - to shed an old shell to make room for new growth
3. Crustacean - an arthropod of the large, mainly aquatic group Crustacea
4. Autotomy - a defense strategy of purposely shedding a leg or claw to a predator
5. Exoskeleton - the outer shell of a crab
2. Molt - to shed an old shell to make room for new growth
3. Crustacean - an arthropod of the large, mainly aquatic group Crustacea
4. Autotomy - a defense strategy of purposely shedding a leg or claw to a predator
5. Exoskeleton - the outer shell of a crab
Resources
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishfacts/bluecrab.asphttp://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/fish-facts/blue-crab
http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/fish_invert_ecology/bluecrab/overview.aspx
http://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/fish-facts/blue-crab
http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/fish_invert_ecology/bluecrab/overview.aspx
http://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/fish-facts/blue-crab