Species · GBIF taxon 5863764
Dungeness Crab
Metacarcinus magisterAlso known as Market Crab, Commercial Crab, Pacific Crab
Dungeness crabs are robust crustaceans featuring a broad, hard carapace that ranges from yellowish-brown to purple. They use their powerful, white-tipped claws to forage along sandy seafloors and shelter in dense eelgrass beds. During the day, they often bury themselves completely in the sediment to avoid predators, leaving only their eyes and antennae exposed.
MarineCrustaceanBottom-Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Clams
- Mussels
- Small fish
Predators
- Sea otters
- Octopuses
- Halibut
ThreatsOcean acidification, habitat degradation, overfishing, and warming sea temperatures
HabitatsSandy bottoms, muddy estuaries, and eelgrass beds up to 230 meters deep
Life spanUp to 8 to 10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCancridae
- SpeciesMetacarcinus magister
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with powerful claws that can deliver a painful pinch; handle with care behind the carapace.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses exceptionally strong claws designed for crushing shells, which can easily crush fingers or break skin.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a broad, fan-shaped carapace with ten spines along the front edge and white-tipped claws.
- What to do
- Support the crab from the underside of the rear carapace, keeping fingers well away from the front pincers.
Responsible observation
- Safe Handling: Always pick up a crab from the rear, holding it firmly behind the walking legs to avoid the claws.
- Observe in Tidepools: Look for juveniles in shallow estuaries and tidepools during low tide, especially near eelgrass.
- Respect Regulations: Check local size limits and sex restrictions, as only mature males are typically harvested.
Competitor Taollan82; Kirt L. Onthank / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator "Giant Pacific Octopus" by jurvetson is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Habitat Partner no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative Close Relative
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