Species · GBIF taxon 5178757
Stone Crab
Menippe mercenariaAlso known as Florida Stone Crab
Florida stone crabs are robust, heavy-bodied crustaceans easily recognized by their massive, unequal claws tipped with shiny black. They excavate deep, protective burrows in muddy seagrass beds and oyster reefs, where they wait to ambush passing prey. Remarkably, these crabs can regenerate lost limbs, a trait that supports a unique fishery where only the claws are harvested before the live crab is returned to the sea.
MarineCrustaceanBurrowing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Eastern oysters
- Hard clams
- Acorn barnacles
Predators
- Octopuses
- Loggerhead sea turtles
- Cobias
ThreatsOverfishing, habitat degradation, water pollution, and ocean acidification.
HabitatsSalt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and rocky jetties.
Life span7 to 8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderDecapoda
- FamilyMenippidae
- GenusMenippe
- SpeciesMenippe mercenaria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses extremely powerful claws capable of crushing bone; handle with extreme caution.
- Why it is dangerous
- The massive crusher claw can exert pressure up to 19,000 pounds per square inch, capable of breaking fingers and causing severe crush injuries.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a stocky, brownish-red body with large, unequal claws tipped in distinct, smooth black.
- What to do
- Never attempt to pick up a wild stone crab; if necessary, handle only by securing both claws simultaneously from behind.
Responsible observation
- Observe from a distance: Watch them near oyster reefs or jetties at low tide when they may emerge near their burrows.
- Do not handle: Their crushing claw can exert immense pressure, easily breaking fingers.
Frequent Companion Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Primary Prey Unknown / CC-BY · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
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