What is a Male Crab Called? A Guide to Crab Names

Crabs are a delicious culinary delicacy, especially the iconic blue crab from the Chesapeake Bay. But if you want to talk like an insider at your next crab feast you’ll need to know the unique names given to male and female crabs.

An Overview of Male Crab Names

The most common name for a male blue crab is “Jimmy” A Jimmy crab is a sexually mature male that is of legal size for harvesting The origin of the name Jimmy is uncertain, but some say it refers to the crab’s claws, which resemble the old fashioned long-sleeved wool undershirts called jimmies.

Other nicknames for male crabs include “Jimmies” and “Number One Jimmies.” The term “Jimmies” can refer to multiple male crabs, while “Number One” indicates that the crab is full-sized and has filled out its shell.

Identifying Male Crabs

So how do you visually identify a Jimmy crab? Here are some key traits:

Apron shape: The apron on the abdomen resembles an inverted T or a Washington Monument shape. It is long and narrow.
Claw tips: Male crab claws have blue coloration on the tips.
Size: Males tend to be larger with bigger claws than females. A legal-sized Jimmy in the Chesapeake is at least 5 inches.
Behavior: Males are known to be more aggressive and territorial, especially during mating season.

Other Names for Younger Male Crabs

Young male crabs that have recently molted and are still growing into their new shell have different names than mature Jimmies. Here are some you may hear:

Number Two Jimmy: An adolescent male with a soft shell that is not full sized yet.
Whitey: Another name for a Number Two Jimmy in the soft shell stage after molting. The new shell is pale white before it hardens.
Buckram: A male crab that has just molted and has a soft shell.

Female Crab Names

Female blue crabs also have some distinctive regional nicknames. Here are some key ones:

Sook: A mature female crab that is able to mate and carry eggs.
Sally: An immature female that cannot mate yet. Sally crabs are smaller and their apron is triangular shaped.
She-crab: Another term for immature female crabs that are also called Sallys.
Sponge crab: A female crab that is carrying a sponge of fertilized eggs under her apron. Her eggs numbers in the millions!

Identifying Female Crabs

How can you tell a female crab from a male? Here are the key identification tips:

Apron shape: Female crabs have a rounded dome or bell-shaped apron that resembles the U.S. Capitol Building.
Claw color: Female claws have red coloration on the tips.
Size: Females are typically smaller than male crabs.
Behavior: Females are less aggressive and focus more on reproducing and caring for eggs.
Eggs: A sponge crab carries a visible egg mass under her apron.

Regional Preferences for Male vs. Female Crabs

While Jimmies and Sooks are both considered tasty catches, some regions favor one sex of crab over the other. Here are a few cultural preferences:

The Chesapeake Bay region prizes Jimmies for their size and rich meat. Bigger claws mean more meat for crab feasts.
In Louisiana, Sooks are preferred for their roe (crab eggs) which is considered a delicacy. The roe adds a buttery flavor.
On the Gulf Coast, smaller Sally crabs are used for soft shell harvests. Their tender meat is perfect for this specialty dish.

Choosing Your Crabs

The names people use for crabs highlight key differences between the sexes and maturity levels. Whether you opt for Jimmies, Sooks, or soft shell Sallys, make sure your crabs were sustainably harvested. Follow regulations on size limits and female crab harvests to support healthy crab populations.

So next time you’re picking out crabs for a cookout or crab feast, test out your knowledge of crab nicknames! The names may seem quirky, but they hold clues to the crabs’ attributes. A seasoned crab pro can tell a lot from a Jimmy or Sally name alone. Now you’ll be in the know, too!

what is a male crab called

Market Trends: Male vs. Female Crabs

The seafood market constantly changes due to the demand for different types of crabs. In this section, we’ll talk about how popular and market-dominant male and female crabs are. We’ll look at how each is seen and valued in the market, which is related to the male vs. female crabs.

The preference for male or female crabs often varies based on regional cuisine and cultural practices. When a dish is all about crab, males are often preferred because their claws are bigger and meatier. On the other hand, female crabs are highly valued in cooking styles that focus on delicate flavors and treats. This is because they have roe and tender meat.

When it comes to market trends, the price and demand for male and female crabs can change depending on things like the time of year, availability, and eco-friendly practices. People think that male crabs have more meat and are bigger, so they cost more, especially the bigger ones. Even though female crabs aren’t always in high demand, when their roe is in season, they can fetch high prices from foodies who want to try this unique flavor.

Cooking Male Crabs (Jimmies)

Male crabs are best for recipes where the crab is the star, like steamed crabs, crab boils, or grilled crab. This is because their claws are bigger and meatier.
Tips for Preparation: When cooking male crabs, make sure they are cooked all the way through to bring out their strong flavor. Many people steam or boil their food, and they often add seasonings like J O. Seasoning, Old Bay, or a mix of herbs and spices that smell good
Ideas for Serving: Male crabs are great for dishes that need big, showy pieces of meat. For a traditional crab feast, you could serve them whole, or you could use the meat to make crab cakes or crab-stuffed dishes.

Crab! How to differentiate Male and Female?

FAQ

Are male crabs called Jimmies?

The #1 Male crab, also known as a “Jimmy”, are typically the most sought after type of crab. They typically range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches. They are easily identified by their blue claws and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument.

What is the nickname for a male blue crab?

Jimmy. All Jimmies are male crabs, but there are actually two different kinds of Jimmies: number 1 and number 2. All males have a long, thin apron on the bottom of their shell, commonly known as the “Washington Monument.” They also have blue-tipped claws.

Which crabs are better to eat male or female?

Male crabs are meatier and are the preferred crab for steaming. You can tell a male blue crab by its “apron,” the underbelly shell of the crab, which is narrow compared to the female’s. Female crabs are fattier and are preferred for soup.

What are the three genders of crab?

(a) Male crab with V-shaped carapace, (b) female crab with U-shaped carapace, and (c) hermaphrodite mud crab with an irregular carapace. Photos taken from Piakgacha crab market by Sumona Khatun, JUST, Bangladesh.

What distinguishes a male crab from a female crab?

Another distinguishing feature is the claw size. Male crabs are usually more territorial and competitive. They have larger, stronger claws than females. These enlarged claws are not only a weapon in crabby disputes but also play a vital role in attracting mates. Behavioral traits can also aid in differentiating between male and female crabs.

What is the difference between male and female blue crabs?

To get a clear break down of the differences between male and female blue crabs read below: The claws: Female crabs tend to have smaller claws with red tips. The apron: The underside of the crab, otherwise known as the apron, will be round on a female crab. The claws: Male’s claws will be larger with bright blue tips.

Are male crabs more aggressive than female crabs?

Male crabs are known to be more aggressive and territorial, while female crabs are more passive and nurturing. This difference in behavior can be attributed to the roles each gender plays in reproduction. Professional Marine Scientist: “Male crabs are typically more aggressive during mating season, as they compete for female mates.

Why do male crabs have smaller claws than females?

Females typically have smaller claws and larger abdomens. This reflects their need to house, protect, and develop eggs, which requires a lot of space and energy. Likewise, male crabs don’t exhibit an enlarged abdomen as they will never need to carry eggs. Additionally, male crabs also have larger claws than females.