The Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus Meaning: “Beautiful, Savory Swimmer”
Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Crustacea
Blue Crab Life Cycle Zoea Megalopa Juvenile Considered a juvenile up to 12-18 months 31-49 days (molt 7 times) 6-20 days 1 Molt – depends on temp and salinity
Zoea to Adult Females will molt 18-20 times Males will molt 25+ times Maximum life span of a blue crab is 4 years
Molting (Ecdysis) #1 To shed the shell in the process of renewal #2
#3 #4 #5
Measuring Your Blue Crab
How Old is Your Blue Crab? Age (years) Carapace Width (cm) 0-1 Less than 6cm 1-2 6-12cm 2+ 12+ cm *Few crabs live longer than 4 years*
Male or Female?
Male Blue Crabs “Jimmy”
Female Blue Crabs “Sally” or “Sook”
A Female Carrying Eggs is called a “Sponge Crab” *It is illegal to take “sponge crabs” from the estuary!
How do You Catch a Blue Crab?