![]() They claw open oysters, clams, and mussels to get their claws on the nutritional center. The typical diet of these crabs consists of oysters, clams, insects, dead fish, worms, and mussels. They even eat their own kind in some cases. That’s called molting or ecdysis.Īs I already mentioned, blue crabs hunt and scavenge for food. In fact, blue crabs periodically shed their smaller shells so they can grow larger. Why Do Blue Crabs Molt?Ī blue crab’s shell (carapace) sheds over time. Not all eggs survive because of predators or other natural factors thousands remain and repeat the life cycle. Luckily, blue crabs have a lifespan of about 3-4 years, and throughout their life, they participate in a large mating ceremony starting in May and ending in October.įemale blue crabs produce millions of new crabs. In contrast, the immature female crab has a triangular apron. You can determine a crab’s approximate age and sex by flipping it over and looking at the shape of the folded surface of the abdomen (apron).Īdult males have a t-shaped apron that looks like the Washington Monument, while mature females feature a rounded apron that reminds one of the US Capitol building. Females, on the other hand, have red-tipped claws. Male blue crabs have a larger body and brighter clue claws than females. They’re typically about 4-inches long, 9-inches wide, and sexually dimorphic. Moreover, they’re excellent swimmers due to their paddle-shaped hind legs. ![]() ![]() When you cook blue crabs, you notice their bodies turning red as heat deactivates the blue pigment. They have ten legs and olive-grayish blue bodies-the blue color results from the blue pigment alpha-crustacean and the red pigment astaxanthin. The bright blue claws aren’t the only thing unique about these crabs. Blue Crabs’ Usage: Why Are Blue Crabs Important?. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |