Details
Metacarcinus magister
A large edible crab of the Pacific coast of North America. It has a broad carapace, strong claws, and major importance to coastal fisheries.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Ranges from Alaska to California, using sandy bottoms, muddy bays, eelgrass beds, and other shallow coastal habitats.
The carapace is broad and purple-brown to reddish brown. The claw tips are pale, and the walking legs are sturdy.
It walks over the seafloor and can bury shallowly in sand. After molting, it remains soft and hides until the shell hardens.
It eats clams, worms, small crustaceans, carrion, and other bottom foods. Strong claws help process prey.
Females carry masses of eggs beneath the abdomen. Larvae drift in plankton before settling into bottom-dwelling life.
The common name comes from Dungeness, Washington. The species is one of the best-known seafood crabs on the North American west coast.
