Common shore crab  (Carcinus maenas)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The shore crab is one of the commonest crabs on the shore, and anyone who has gone rock-pooling is likely to have encountered one (3). It is usually dark green in colour, although young individuals may have whitish blotches. The carapace is wider than it is long, and the first pair of walking limbs ('pereopods') have pincers (2).

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