Dungeness crab

The Dungeness crab is a type of crab that inhabits eelgrass beds and water bottoms from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to Santa Cruz, California. They are named after Dungeness, Washington, a town now known as Old Town, Washington or Old Town Dungeness, Washington, which is located approximately five miles north of Sequim.

Related Topics:
Crab - Eelgrass - Aleutian Islands - Alaska - Santa Cruz, California - Dungeness, Washington - Old Town, Washington - Old Town Dungeness, Washington - Sequim

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They measure as much as 10 inches (25.4 cm) in some areas off the coast of Washington, but typically are under 8 inches (20.3 cm). They are a popular delicacy, and are the most commercially important crab in the Pacific Northwest.

Related Topics:
Washington - Pacific Northwest

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Dungeness crabs have a wide, hard shell which they must split in order to grow; this process is called ecdysis. They have five pairs of legs, which are similarly armored, the foremost pair of which ends in claws which the crab uses both as defense and to tear apart large food items. The crab uses its smaller appendages to pass the food particles into its mouth. Once inside the crab’s stomach, food is further digested by the "gastric mill", a collection of tooth-like structures. Cancer magister prefers to eat clams, other crustaceans and small fish, but is also an effective scavenger.

Related Topics:
Ecdysis - Claw - Gastric mill - Clam - Crustacea - Fish - Scavenger

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Mating occurs between male and female crabs only after the female has molted, and the female extrudes the eggs from her body several months later; however, they remain attached under her abdomen for three to five months until they hatch. Young crab are free-swimming after hatching and go through five larval stages before reaching maturity after about ten moults or two years.

Related Topics:
Molt - Abdomen - Larva

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Although crabs are traditionally associated with moving sideways, they can use their appendages to move in any direction. Dungeness crabs can also bury themselves completely in the sand if threatened.

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The safest place to hold the Dungeness crab is its back. Although the hind part of the crab is commonly used to pick up the crabs, their claws can sometimes reach the holder's hand.

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