1. The Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus
Meaning: “Beautiful, Savory Swimmer”

2. Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Crustacea

3. Blue Crab Life Cycle Zoea Megalopa Juvenile
Considered a juvenile up to months
31-49 days
(molt 7 times)
6-20 days
1 Molt – depends on temp and salinity

4. Zoea to Adult Females will molt 18-20 times Males will molt 25+ times
Maximum life span of a blue crab is 4 years

6. Molting (Ecdysis) #1
To shed the shell in the process of renewal #2

7. #3 #4 #5

8. Measuring Your Blue Crab

9. 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*

10. Male or Female?

11. Male Blue Crabs “Jimmy”

12. Female Blue Crabs “Sally” or “Sook”

13. A Female Carrying Eggs is called a “Sponge Crab”
*It is illegal to take “sponge crabs” from the estuary!

16. How do You Catch a Blue Crab?