Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2222079
Red Rock Crab
Cancer productusAlso known as Brick-red Rock Crab, Pacific Red Crab, Northwest Rock Crab
Red rock crabs possess broad, brick-red carapaces with scalloped edges and distinctive black-tipped claws. They actively hunt along rocky intertidal zones and reefs, using their powerful chelae to crush heavy-shelled prey like barnacles and mussels. Adults shelter beneath boulders, ledges, and deep crevices during low tide, emerging to forage in shallow coastal waters.
MarineNocturnalCrustacean
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mussels
- Barnacles
- Clams
Predators
- Sea Otters
- Octopuses
- Gull Species
ThreatsCoastal development, marine pollution, localized overharvesting
HabitatsRocky intertidal zones, subtidal reefs, gravel beds, estuaries
Life span5 to 7 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCancridae
- SpeciesCancer productus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Powerful claws can pinch severely if handled; observe carefully without grabbing or trapping.
- Why it is dangerous
- Strong chelae can exert enough mechanical pressure to crush tissue, cut skin, or inflict deep puncture wounds.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Identified by a broad, brick-red carapace with distinct serrated margins and prominent black-tipped claws.
- What to do
- Never pick up an adult crab with bare hands; observe from above without restricting its movement or trapping it.
Responsible observation
- Tide Pool Spotting: Look beneath large rocks and overhanging ledges at low tide where adults wedge themselves into crevices.
- Safe Observation: Keep fingers clear of the heavy front claws, which exert immense crushing pressure.
- Intertidal Etiquette: Always gently return flipped rocks to their original positions to protect fragile microhabitats.
Predator Original uploader was Taollan82 at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Prey 
Co-inhabitant (c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Lisa Zhang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lisa Zhang · cc-by
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