Crab

From ArticleWorld

A crab is of the Brachyura infraorder. Many other crustaceans, with thick exoskeletons, are also referred to as crabs. True crabs can be recognized by their five pairs of walking legs, the first of which are modified into claws. It is a common myth that crabs always walk sideways, but in truth, a crab is capable of walking in any direction.

Common Varieties

• Blue crab – When harvested just after molting, these crabs are served as soft shell crabs.
• Dungeness crab – As large as ten inches, these crabs are often served boiled or steamed.
• Florida stone crab – Harvesting of these crabs may only take place form October 15 to May 15. Only one claw may be taken at a time, and the crab must be returned to the sea.
• Tasmanian giant crab - The species has been commercially exploited in Tasmanian waters since 1992, and now has strict limits on individual quotas.

Crab fisheries

Crabs make up twenty percent of all marine crustaceans caught and farmed worldwide, with over 1½ million tons being consumed yearly. Of that total, one species accounts for one fifth: Portunus trituberculatus.

Other animals

Several other, unrelated, animals are commonly referred to as crabs. Generally they have a similar shape and include the crab louse (an insect), and the horseshoe crab. The name of the crab louse is the origin for the slang term ‘’crabs’’ for an infestation of pubic lice.