Crabs are one of the most diverse and fascinating crustaceans found in oceans, freshwater habitats, and even on land. With thousands of species worldwide, these arthropods come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, each adapted to its environment. From deep-sea dwellers to shoreline scavengers, the different types of crabs exhibit unique behaviors, feeding habits, and survival strategies that make them stand out in the animal kingdom.
In this article, we will explore 23 common types of crabs, highlighting their physical characteristics, habitats, and interesting facts. Whether it’s the massive Alaskan King Crab, the tree-climbing Coconut Crab, or the invasive Chinese Mitten Crab, each species has distinctive traits that set them apart. Understanding these crabs not only enhances our appreciation for marine biodiversity but also sheds light on their ecological roles and conservation needs.
If you’ve ever wondered how to identify different types of crabs, this guide provides pictures and key identification features to help you distinguish them. Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast, a marine life lover, or just curious about these incredible creatures, this comprehensive list will introduce you to some of the most remarkable crabs found across the globe.
Different Types of Crabs
Red King Crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
The Red King Crab is one of the most massive and sought-after crab species in the world. Males can reach up to five feet across and weigh as much as 24 pounds, making them a true giant among crustaceans. They have long, spiny legs and powerful claws, which they use to defend themselves and capture prey. While their shell appears deep red, it can shift to a more vibrant hue after being cooked.
These crabs thrive in frigid waters, mainly in the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, and along the coasts of Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula. They prefer depths of 90 to 200 meters, where temperatures remain between 34-38°F. Despite their large size, red king crabs move in groups, or “pods,” as juveniles, providing protection against predators like halibut and octopuses. As they mature, they become more solitary but remain highly mobile.
Highly prized in the seafood industry, Red King Crabs are known for their succulent, flaky meat. They are harvested through specialized traps and are a key component of Alaskan fisheries. Their rich flavor and impressive size make them a luxury delicacy, often enjoyed in fine dining restaurants as steamed legs or butter-drenched crab feasts.
Hermit Crab (Paguroidea)
Unlike true crabs, hermit crabs have soft, exposed abdomens, which they protect by residing in discarded seashells. These shells serve as mobile homes, offering both defense and camouflage against predators. As they grow, hermit crabs must continually search for larger shells, sometimes engaging in shell-swapping with others of their kind to find a better fit.
Found in marine environments worldwide, hermit crabs inhabit coastal waters, rocky shorelines, and tide pools. Unlike most crabs, they lack a hard, uniform exoskeleton, relying on their adopted shells for protection. Despite their name, these creatures are highly social and often form colonies, where they interact and even help each other find suitable new homes.
Hermit crabs are omnivores, feeding on detritus, algae, and small invertebrates. Their scavenging behavior plays a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems by recycling organic material. They are also popular as pets, with land-dwelling species kept in terrariums, though they require specific humidity and temperature conditions to thrive outside their natural habitats.
Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio)
Snow crabs are easily recognizable by their long, spindly legs and compact bodies, resembling giant marine spiders. Their coloration ranges from light brown to orange, but they are named for their habitat—cold, icy waters. One remarkable trait of these crabs is their ability to regenerate lost limbs, allowing them to survive predatory attacks or injuries sustained in territorial fights.
These crabs inhabit the northern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, particularly in the Bering Sea and along Canada’s frigid coastlines. They dwell at extreme depths, often reaching 2,000 meters below the surface, where they navigate the dark, freezing waters in search of food. Their diet consists of fish, small crustaceans, and organic debris, making them vital scavengers in their ecosystem.
Snow crabs are a commercial seafood favorite, known for their sweet, delicate meat. Their long legs yield generous portions, making them highly sought after in seafood buffets and restaurants worldwide. Whether steamed, boiled, or added to soups, snow crab meat is a prized ingredient in many gourmet dishes, solidifying its status as one of the most valuable cold-water crabs.
Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata)
The ghost crab is a speedy and elusive creature, capable of darting across sandy beaches at an impressive 10 miles per hour. Its pale, sand-colored body provides excellent camouflage, making it nearly invisible against the shore. Unlike many crabs that thrive in water, the ghost crab spends most of its time on land, only returning to the ocean to moisten its gills.
These crabs are found along the eastern coasts of the United States, extending down to Brazil. They are nocturnal, emerging at night to search for food, which includes small insects, detritus, and even sea turtle hatchlings. Their ability to dig deep burrows—up to four feet—helps them escape the harsh daytime heat and predators like birds and larger crabs.
One of their most distinctive features is their long, stalked eyes, which can rotate 360 degrees. This adaptation allows them to detect movement in all directions without shifting their bodies, making them highly aware of their surroundings. Their combination of speed, camouflage, and keen eyesight makes them one of the most elusive crabs in coastal ecosystems.
Fiddler Crab (Uca pugnax)
Fiddler crabs are easily recognizable due to the extreme size difference between their claws. Males sport one enormous claw—sometimes larger than their entire body—which they use for defense and elaborate courtship displays. These crabs wave their oversized claws in rhythmic motions, resembling someone playing a fiddle, which is how they earned their name.
They inhabit coastal wetlands, salt marshes, and mangrove forests, where they dig burrows in muddy or sandy soil. These burrows serve as both a retreat from predators and a crucial part of the ecosystem, aerating the soil and improving water drainage. During high tide, fiddler crabs retreat into their burrows, sealing the entrance with mud to avoid flooding.
Despite their small size, fiddler crabs play an essential role in their environment. They consume decomposing plant material and algae, helping to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. Their burrowing activity also benefits other species by enriching the soil and maintaining a healthy habitat for marshland wildlife.
Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
Despite its name, the blue crab is not entirely blue. Its distinctive hue comes from the bluish tint of its claws and carapace, but its body can range from greenish-brown to reddish tones, especially after molting. Female blue crabs are easy to identify by the red highlights on their pincers, which contrast with the predominantly blue coloration of the males. Their sharp, serrated shells and agile swimming legs make them one of the most recognizable crab species in coastal waters.
Native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, blue crabs thrive in brackish estuaries and coastal waters. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of marine life, including algae, mollusks, and small fish. Interestingly, they also exhibit cannibalistic tendencies, preying on smaller or molting blue crabs when food is scarce. Their diet and aggressive nature contribute to their rapid growth and resilience in changing environments.
Blue crabs are a valuable seafood species and are commonly harvested for their soft shells during molting. This stage, when they shed their old exoskeletons, makes them highly sought after for culinary purposes. Their sweet, delicate meat is a staple in various coastal dishes, from crab cakes to stews, making them a favorite among seafood lovers.
Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister)
The Dungeness crab, named after the coastal town of Dungeness in Washington State, is prized for its sweet and tender meat. With its broad, oval-shaped shell, this crab species displays a purplish-brown coloration, while its claws are tipped with white. The hard exoskeleton provides protection from predators, but the crab’s ability to burrow into sandy and muddy seafloors offers additional camouflage and safety.
Dungeness crabs inhabit waters along the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to California, dwelling at depths of up to 300 meters. They prefer sandy or muddy ocean floors, where they can bury themselves to escape predators like sea otters, octopuses, and larger fish. These crustaceans are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to scavenge and hunt for food. Their diet consists of small fish, marine worms, clams, and even other crustaceans.
With their rich, buttery taste and firm texture, Dungeness crabs are a culinary favorite. They are commonly enjoyed in steamed or boiled preparations, often served with melted butter or incorporated into seafood dishes. Their popularity has made them an essential part of commercial fisheries, contributing significantly to the seafood industry in the Pacific Northwest.
Florida Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria)
Florida stone crabs are best known for their delicious, meaty claws, which make them a highly prized seafood delicacy. Unlike other crabs that are harvested entirely, fishers only take one claw from each stone crab before releasing them back into the ocean. This sustainable practice allows the crabs to regenerate their lost claws within a year, ensuring continued population growth.
These crabs are native to the warm, shallow coastal waters of the southeastern United States, particularly Florida. They prefer rocky or seagrass-covered habitats, where they can hide from predators like octopuses and large fish. Their powerful claws are not just for defense; they also use them to crack open shells of oysters, clams, and other hard-shelled prey.
The Florida stone crab’s ability to regenerate lost limbs makes it one of the most resilient species in the marine world. Their claws continue to grow larger with each molt, allowing older crabs to develop exceptionally strong pincers. This unique adaptation, combined with sustainable fishing practices, ensures that Florida stone crabs remain a thriving and renewable seafood resource.
Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Despite its name, the horseshoe crab is not a true crab but a distant relative of spiders and scorpions. These ancient creatures have remained virtually unchanged for over 450 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving species on Earth. Their distinctive horseshoe-shaped carapace offers protection, while their long, pointed tail—called a telson—helps them flip over if they get stuck on their backs.
Horseshoe crabs inhabit the Atlantic coastline of North America, where they migrate to shallow waters during spawning season. They primarily feed on worms, mollusks, and decaying organic material found along the ocean floor. Their blue blood contains copper-based molecules, which have remarkable antibacterial properties. This unique feature has made horseshoe crabs vital to the medical industry, as their blood is used to test vaccines and medical equipment for contamination.
Although they have survived mass extinctions, horseshoe crabs now face threats from habitat destruction and overharvesting. Conservation efforts aim to protect these remarkable creatures, not only for their ecological importance but also for their irreplaceable role in modern medicine. Their enduring presence on Earth is a testament to their incredible adaptability and resilience.
Coconut Crab (Birgus latro)
The coconut crab holds the title of the largest land-living arthropod, growing up to three feet in length and weighing over nine pounds. Unlike most crabs, it spends nearly its entire life on land, only returning to the sea as a larva. One of its most remarkable abilities is tree climbing—coconut crabs scale palm trees to reach coconuts, which they crack open using their incredibly strong claws.
These crabs are found on scattered tropical islands across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. While coconuts are a significant part of their diet, they also consume fruits, seeds, and decaying plant matter. Opportunistic feeders, they have even been known to scavenge carrion, playing an essential role in nutrient recycling within their ecosystems.
Coconut crabs are solitary and highly territorial, often battling other crabs for food and shelter. Due to their size and strength, they have few natural predators aside from humans. Unfortunately, habitat loss and hunting for their meat have led to population declines in some areas. Conservation efforts aim to protect these fascinating giants and ensure their continued survival in the wild.
Mud Crab (Scylla serrata)
Mud crabs are highly adaptable crustaceans known for their ability to change shell color to blend into their surroundings. This remarkable camouflage helps them evade predators while hunting for food in estuaries, mangroves, and coastal waters. Their dark, mottled shells allow them to remain nearly invisible against the muddy seabed.
These crabs are found across Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, often venturing into freshwater areas. They are nocturnal hunters, preying on small fish, mollusks, and plant material. Their powerful claws allow them to crush hard shells, making them efficient predators.
Mud crabs are also a valuable seafood delicacy, particularly in Asian cuisine. Their sweet, tender meat makes them highly sought after, leading to extensive aquaculture efforts. Despite their popularity, sustainable fishing practices are necessary to prevent overharvesting and maintain healthy populations.
Tasmanian Giant Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas)
The Tasmanian Giant Crab is one of the largest crab species in the world, growing up to three feet (one meter) wide and weighing over 30 pounds (14 kilograms). These deep-sea giants are found off the southern coast of Australia, typically at depths of 460 to 590 feet (140 to 180 meters).
Male Tasmanian giant crabs are particularly distinctive due to their massive, asymmetrical claws—one of which is significantly larger than the other. They use these oversized pincers to fight off rivals and impress potential mates. Female crabs, on the other hand, have proportionally smaller but equally sized claws.
Despite their formidable size, these crabs move slowly and rely on their hard shells for protection. They feed on carrion, slow-moving sea creatures, and small fish. Due to their impressive size and rich, flavorful meat, they are a prized catch in commercial fisheries, but strict regulations are in place to ensure their long-term survival.
Christmas Island Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis)
The Christmas Island Red Crab is famous for its breathtaking annual migration, one of the most extraordinary natural events in the world. Every year, millions of these bright red crabs travel from Christmas Island’s lush rainforests to the coastline to spawn. This migration, synchronized with the lunar cycle and the wet season, turns roads, forests, and beaches into a sea of crimson.
Unlike many crabs that spend most of their lives in water, Christmas Island Red Crabs are primarily land-dwellers. They live in burrows in the forest, emerging mainly to feed on fallen leaves and fruits. However, their connection to the ocean remains essential, as their larvae hatch in seawater before returning to land as juveniles.
During the migration, the sheer number of crabs crossing roads and pathways disrupts daily life on the island. Special bridges and tunnels have been built to help them cross safely. Despite their abundance, conservation efforts are in place to protect them from invasive species like the yellow crazy ant, which has significantly impacted their population.
Sand Crab (Emerita analoga)
The Sand Crab, also known as the Mole Crab or Peekytoe Crab, is a small but fascinating crustacean that thrives in the shifting sands of coastal beaches. These tiny crabs are experts at burrowing, able to disappear into the sand in just seconds to avoid predators and strong waves.
Unlike most crabs, sand crabs have no claws for defense. Instead, they rely on their ability to burrow backward into the sand, exposing only their feathery antennae. As waves wash over them, they extend their antennae to filter microscopic plankton and organic particles from the water, making them efficient filter feeders.
Sand crabs play a crucial role in the beach ecosystem, serving as an important food source for shorebirds and fish. Their populations are sensitive to environmental changes, making them useful indicators of coastal ecosystem health. Due to their specialized lifestyle, they are rarely kept in captivity and are best observed in their natural beach habitats.
Green Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas)
The Green Shore Crab, also known as the European Green Crab, is a hardy and adaptable species found along the coasts of Europe, North America, and Australia. Recognized by its greenish-brown shell and five spines on either side of its eyes, this crab can survive in a wide range of habitats, including rocky shores, estuaries, and mudflats.
One of the most invasive crabs in the world, the Green Shore Crab competes with native species for food and habitat. Its resilience allows it to tolerate extreme environmental conditions, including varying salinity and temperature levels.
Despite being an ecological threat in many regions, these crabs play a vital role in their native habitats, feeding on mollusks, small fish, and algae. Scientists are exploring ways to control their populations through commercial fishing and culinary use.
Queen Crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
The Queen Crab, closely related to the Alaskan King Crab, inhabits the frigid waters of the North Pacific Ocean, particularly around Russia and Alaska. It is known for its impressive size, reaching up to 10 inches (25 cm) in carapace width and weighing over 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
With a reddish-brown shell adorned with white spots, the Queen Crab is a striking sight. It possesses powerful pincers capable of crushing the toughest shells of its prey, including mollusks and crustaceans. Despite their fierce appearance, these crabs often gather in large groups during the mating season, displaying social behavior uncommon in many crab species.
Due to their rich, flavorful meat, Queen Crabs are highly valued in the seafood industry. However, their populations are carefully managed to prevent overfishing and maintain the balance of marine ecosystems.
Yeti Crab (Kiwa hirsuta)
Discovered only in 2005, the Yeti Crab is one of the deep sea’s most mysterious inhabitants. Named after the mythical Yeti due to its long, silky, hair-like strands (setae), this unique crustacean lives in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—hydrothermal vents deep in the Pacific Ocean.
Unlike most crabs that rely on hunting or scavenging, the Yeti Crab cultivates bacteria on its hairy appendages. These bacteria help detoxify the mineral-rich water surrounding hydrothermal vents and serve as a primary food source for the crab. This remarkable adaptation allows it to thrive in environments with extreme heat and high pressure.
Scientists are still uncovering the secrets of the Yeti Crab’s survival. Its bizarre appearance and unusual feeding behavior make it one of the most fascinating discoveries in marine biology. Living in the pitch-black depths of the ocean, far from human reach, the Yeti Crab remains one of the ocean’s most enigmatic creatures.
Japanese Spider Crab (Macrocheira kaempferi)
The Japanese Spider Crab is the largest arthropod in the world, boasting an astonishing leg span of up to 12 feet (3.7 meters). Despite their intimidating size, these deep-sea crabs are relatively gentle scavengers, feeding on dead fish, mollusks, and algae along the seabed.
Their spiky, orange-and-white carapace provides natural camouflage, helping them blend into the ocean floor. To enhance their disguise, they often attach sponges, algae, and other marine organisms to their shells. Their long legs, while impressive, are fragile and can break off easily—fortunately, like many crustaceans, they can regenerate lost limbs over time.
Found in the waters off the coast of Japan, particularly around Sagami Bay, these crabs prefer depths of 160 to 2,000 feet (50 to 600 meters). While they are a delicacy in Japan, conservation efforts aim to protect their populations from overfishing.
Alaskan King Crab (Paralithodes platypus)
The Alaskan King Crab is one of the largest commercially harvested crabs, growing up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) across and weighing as much as 25 pounds (11 kilograms). These crabs thrive in the cold, deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
With their massive claws and long, spiny legs, Alaskan king crabs are formidable predators, feeding on small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. Their shells can range in color from bluish to reddish-brown, with bright white undersides.
Highly prized for their sweet, succulent meat, these crabs support a lucrative fishing industry. However, strict regulations, including catch limits and fishing seasons, are in place to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainable populations.
Sally Lightfoot Crab (Grapsus grapsus)
The Sally Lightfoot Crab is a vibrant, agile crustacean native to the rocky shorelines of the Galápagos Islands and the Pacific coasts of Central and South America. Known for their striking red, blue, and orange coloration, these crabs are incredibly quick, darting across rocks and even scaling vertical surfaces with ease.
Often referred to as the “caretakers of the Galápagos,” Sally Lightfoot Crabs help maintain the ecosystem by feeding on algae, detritus, and even parasites from marine iguanas. Their diet makes them essential for keeping the environment clean.
Unlike many edible crab species, these crabs are not commonly consumed by humans. Instead, they serve as bait for fishers. Their speed and agility also make them difficult to catch, further reducing human impact on their populations.
Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
The Chinese Mitten Crab, named for its furry, mitten-like claws, is an invasive species known for its ability to thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Originally from East Asia, these crabs have spread to Europe and North America, where they have disrupted local ecosystems.
Unlike most crabs, mitten crabs are excellent climbers. They use their strong legs to scale trees, walls, and even man-made structures. Their ability to burrow into riverbanks and estuaries contributes to soil erosion and infrastructure damage.
One female mitten crab can lay up to a million eggs, allowing them to reproduce rapidly and outcompete native species. Despite their invasive nature, they are considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine, where their sweet, delicate meat is highly valued.
