Common Name(s)
Rock Crab, Atlantic Rock Crab
Scientific Name
Cancer irroratus
Above is a sketch of a Rock Crab borrowed from, http://www.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries/res/imp/IMAGES/rockcrb.gif
Description
The rock crab is a typical decapod (deca = ten; pod = foot) crustacean. The top of the carapace is yellow with red, brown, or purple flecks. The bottom of the carapace is either white or yellow. The carapace is generally oval in shape, and the sides are somewhat triangular. A key identifying characteristic of the rock crab is the set of nine teeth on each side of the carapace. Like most crabs, the rock crab has five pairs of walking legs, but the first pair is a set of pincers which are used for feeding and defence.
Geographical Range
The Atlantic rock crab is found along the Atlantic coastline from Labrador, Canada, to South Carolina, U.S.
Habitat
The rock crab lives in a wide range of coastal habitats from deep to shallow waters and even inland beyond the low tide line. They can live on rocky and loose material or on muddy or sandy bottoms.
Diet
The Atlantic rock crab is omnivorous and tends to feed on algae, polychaetes, mussels, gastropods, and various crustaceans including hermit crabs.
Additional Websites:
Here is a website that gives even more information about the Rock Crab
Here is another website about the Rock Crab for kids
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