What Does A Dungeness Crab Look Like? A Complete Visual Guide
As someone who loves seafood, I’ve always been fascinated by the Dungeness crab. With its spiky shell and intimidating pincers, it has such a unique and iconic look. But what exactly does a Dungeness crab look like up close? In this article, I’ll provide a complete visual guide to the Dungeness crab’s appearance, including size, shape, color, claws, and more.
The Dungeness Crab’s Distinctive Shape
The most recognizable feature of the Dungeness crab is its shape. It has a triangular-oval body that is much wider than it is long. The carapace (shell) extends out on either side beyond the legs giving it that classic crab silhouette. Dungeness crabs are one of the larger crab species typically measuring 6 to 10 inches across at maturity. Their body alone is around 4 inches wide.
They have an almost alien or prehistoric look to them, with their wide body and pointy legs. When you see one scuttling across the ocean floor, it’s easy to identify it as a Dungeness based on the distinct body shape alone.
Color: Reddish-Brown Shell with White-Tipped Legs
The shell of a Dungeness crab is a deep reddish-brown color, almost the shade of an old copper penny. It has a mottled look, with small white or gray flecks speckled across the shell. There are lighter patches along the sides of the carapace as well.
The legs are banded with sections of white, brown, and reddish-orange The tips of the legs are white, making them look like they are dipped in paint The underside of the crab is a lighter beige or yellowish color.
The claws are the same deep reddish brown as the main shell, and are tipped with black. Altogether, the coloring provides an excellent camouflage when the Dungeness crab is hiding amidst the equally colorful flora and fauna of the ocean floor.
Large, Uneven Pincers or Claws
The Dungeness crab has two large front claws that are key for defense and catching prey. The claws are called pincers or chelipeds, and are uneven in size. The crab’s dominant claw is usually the one on the right side. It is larger and stronger than the other claw.
The claws are covered in small bumps or nodules, and have black tips. They can grow to impressive sizes at maturity, sometimes over 3 inches long! The rear legs end in much smaller claws called chelae.
Ten Spindly Walking Legs
In addition to its two front claws, the Dungeness crab has four pairs of long, thin walking legs. These are called pereopods. The legs are covered in small hairs and help the crab scuttle along the sandy ocean bottom as well as grasp and tear apart food.
The rear two pairs of legs are paddle-shaped at the ends, almost like flattened scoops. They can grow up to 5 inches long! The front two pairs of legs end in tiny claws or chelae. Altogether the ten legs give the crab excellent mobility and grasping ability.
Two Prominent Eyes on Eyestalks
Dungeness crabs have two large compound eyes that sit on short eyestalks that extend out from the front of the carapace. This allows the crab to have a wide range of vision and detect predators approaching from above or the side. Their eyes are very sensitive to movement.
There are also two small antennae between the eyes that help detect chemicals in the water and allow the crab to smell. The lining of the crab’s mouth and belly is also sensitive to chemicals. Altogether, its sensory organs allow it to detect food, mates, and potential threats.
Distinct Markings on the Abdomen
The abdomen (tail area) of a Dungeness crab is narrower than the wide carapace and folded up underneath the body for protection. It has a distinctive pattern of markings. There is a large central black spot, outlined in white and orange, on the top midline of the abdomen. More black and white banding extends down the sides.
On mature female crabs, the abdomen is rounded and wide to accommodate carrying eggs. You can easily identify females by the broad, dome-shaped abdomen.
How to Determine a Dungeness Crab’s Sex
Speaking of males and females, one question many people have is how to tell whether a Dungeness crab is male or female. Here are some tips:
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Females have a rounded, wide abdomen while males have a narrow triangular abdomen. This is the easiest way to identify gender.
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Males tend to have larger claws, especially the dominant crusher claw.
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Mature females are often slightly smaller than males on average.
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Look at the flap shape – males have a narrow triangular flap, while females have a rounded oval one.
Molting Allows Growth
One unique aspect of crabs is that they must periodically shed their exoskeleton in a process called molting. This allows them to grow, since their tough outer shell doesn’t grow with them. During molting, a crab will find a safe spot and literally crawl out of their old shell!
For a few weeks after molting, a crab’s new shell is very soft and vulnerable. Molting also allows damaged limbs to be regenerated, although they will be smaller at first. Young crabs may molt 6-8 times in their first 2 years before reaching maturity.
Tips for Picking Out Fresh Dungeness Crab
Now that you know what a Dungeness crab looks like, let’s go over some tips for picking out fresh crab:
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Look for crabs that are active and feisty in tanks, not lethargic or still. Their legs should curl under when picked up.
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Make sure there are no cracks in the shell, missing limbs, or puncture holes.
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The underside should look clean, not covered in debris or marine growth.
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Fresh crabs have a mild ocean-like smell. Avoid any with a strong fishy or ammonia odor.
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The eyes should be clear and shiny black, not cloudy or milky.
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Refrigerate live crabs and cook within 1-2 days for best flavor. Cooked crabs last 3-4 days refrigerated.
Where is Dungeness Crab Found?
Dungeness crab is primarily found along the Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to California. It is especially abundant in the waters off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California. The crab gets its name from the town of Dungeness, which is on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It is a popular food in many West Coast coastal towns.
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They are called Dungeness crabs and can be found from Alaska to California along the West Coast of North America. They have a hard, reddish-brown shell and can grow up to 10 inches in width. It’s named after the town of Dungeness, Washington where it was first commercially harvested.
Dungeness crabs are a popular seafood delicacy, prized for their sweet and tender meat. Crab pots, which are baited traps that are lowered to the ocean floor and then brought back up after a while, are usually used to catch them. Most of the time, they are steamed or boiled, and their meat is used in salads, soups, and pasta They are a seasonal delicacy when their peak harvest occurs during the late fall and winter months.
All you need to know about Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, and King Crab.
How do you identify Dungeness crabs?
You can identify Dungeness crabs by their purple-hued shells, which can grow up to 10 inches across. Dungeness crabs make up a massive fishery that supports communities from California to Alaska—some years the harvest results in up to 54 million pounds of crab!
How big does a dungeness crab get?
This crab can measure up to 9-10 inches across and weigh around 3 pounds once it’s 4-5 years old. The Dungeness crab’s size will determine the frequency of its molting. Dungeness crabs have a broad and round body covered with a smooth and fan-shaped shell that requires molting to grow.
How many claws does a dungeness crab have?
Dungeness crabs have four pairs of armored legs, two claws, and a wide, hard shell. A Dungeness’s legs are shorter compared to other commercial crabs and their claws have a distinctive hook. The claws of the crab are used both as defense and to tear apart large food items.
What is a dungeness crab?
The Dungeness crab is considered a delicacy in the United States and Canada. Long before the area was settled by Europeans, Indigenous peoples throughout the crustacean’s range had the crab as a traditional part of their diet and harvested them every year at low tide.