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There are over 6,000 species of crabs in the world. Crabs are decapod crayfish, including lobster, shrimp, and shrimp. These invertebrates belong to the brachyura family and are covered with a hard shell to protect their bodies, have ten legs and two claws. In oceans, on land, and in freshwater crabs, they are found throughout the world. They are eaten by a variety of aquatic life and are considered a delicacy in many cultures.
In this list, we’ll take a look at the ten largest crab species in the world. Each crab is different in size, and some can grow to unusually large sizes. Crabs on this list are ranked by which species grows largest, based on their width and shell mass. Let’s take a look at the ten largest crabs hiding in the waters.
# 10: Florida Rock Crab
Florida Stone Crab (Menippian mercenary) is one of the most expensive species in the world, and only their claws are eaten. Their shell is 5 to 6.5 inches, but their claws are large and are harvested for food. Females are larger than males, but males usually have larger claws. The claws of rock crabs can be up to 5 inches. These crabs are caught and then released back into the ocean after the claws have been fished.
Rock crabs are found in the western North Atlantic. In South Carolina and Georgia, they inhabit salt marshes. They dig holes 6 inches to 3 feet deep near semi-shallow water. In addition to humans, other predators included turtles, octopuses, and cobia.
# 9: blue crab
Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) are also called the Atlantic blue crab and the Chesapeake blue crab. They are olive green in color and are best known for their bright blue claws. This species can grow up to 9 inches but weighs no more than 1 pound. Found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, this species is widespread and has been introduced to other parts of the world for its meat.
Blue crabs feed on shellfish, small oyster fish and decaying animals. With a lifespan of three years, they spend time at the bottom in shallow water. In winter, they burrow to survive colder temperatures. Blue crabs tolerate global warming better than others, as they reproduce at higher temperatures and do not tolerate cold waters.
# 8: Opilio crab
Opilio crab (Chionoecetes opilio) it is a type of snow crab, also known as opium. They live in the Northwest Atlantic and the North Pacific. Male crabs of this species are larger than females, growing up to 6.5 inches and weighing up to 3 pounds. These crabs live at depths ranging from 43 to 7,175 feet.
The opilio crab feeds on small invertebrates and digs at the bottom of the seabed. They usually live for 5 to 6 years and mate before dying. Snow crabs are caught near Alaska and in Canada and then sold around the world.
# 7: Dungeness Crab
The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is found on the west coast of North America’s oceans. They average 7.9 inches, but large ones can reach 9.8 inches. This crab is the most popular species in the Pacific Northwest. These crabs live at depths ranging from 43 to 7,175 feet.
The Dungeness crab is more expensive than other crabs eaten due to its large shell and little meat. They molt periodically in the fall before mating. Males are attracted to pheromones in their urine.
# 6: brown crab
Brown crabs (Cancer paguru) are also called edible crabs. Females are larger than males and can grow up to 6 inches, but in the right habitat they can grow up to 10 inches. They inhabit the waters of the northeast Atlantic and can reach waters near Norway and Africa. They live up to 330 feet deep.
Brown crabs inhabit burrows, hide under stones and other debris. They are nocturnal and go out to feed at night. During the day they are buried, but they never sleep. They stay awake and watch their enemies. Octopuses are their main predator, but this crab is often caught and bred.
# 5: Red Kamchatka crab
Kamchatka crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) are also called Kamchatka crab and Alaskan Kamchatka crab. Red Kamchatka crab is the largest species of Kamchatka crab with a whim of 7 inches and weighing 6 pounds. Their carapace can reach 11 inches and weigh up to 28 pounds, but this is rare. Red king crabs are named for the color they change when cooked, but can be brownish to bluish red and are covered in sharp spines.
Red crabs are endemic to the Bering Sea, the North Pacific Ocean and the Kamchatka Peninsula. According to many, this species is the main choice of crabs and is obtained from the oceans in which they live. Their population in the wild is declining steadily. Overfishing, large numbers of predators and global warming are some of the theories explaining why this crab is becoming less common.
# 4: Giant Mud Crab
Giant Mud Crab (Scylla serrated) is also known as mangrove crab, black crab, toothed swimming crab, and Indo-Pacific mud crab. The average carapace of this species is 9 inches, but they can reach sizes from 11 inches to 11 pounds. They inhabit river estuaries and mangroves in the Indo-Pacific region.
Mud crabs range from green to black and have spines at the edge of their shells. Shellfish and crustaceans are their main food source, but they also eat plants and fish. Female mud crabs burrow into the mud, while males seek refuge in a burrow. At low temperatures, they become inactive.
# 3: Coconut crab
Coconut crabs (Birgus the robber), also called robber crabs, are the largest land crabs. They can grow up to 3 feet 3 inches and weigh 9 pounds. In areas where people live, their presence has been eradicated, but they are found on islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The coconut crab cannot swim and spends most of its life on land.
The closest relative of coconut crabs is the hermit crab, but as a result of evolution, they have become gigantic in size. They have the strongest claws of any terrestrial crustacean, and can produce up to 3300 Newtons of force. As larvae, they live in the sea for about a month and then go to land. Young coconut crabs will live in snail shells until they get too large. When they are large enough, they take refuge in underground burrows next to coconut trees. They live longer than 60 years and survive on small animals, fruits, walnut vegetation, and carrion.
# 2: Tasmanian giant crab
Tasmanian giant crab (Pseudocarcin) is one of the largest crabs in the world, with shells up to 18 inches wide and weighing up to 39 pounds. This giant lives on a muddy bottom in the southern Australian Ocean at the edge of the continental shelf. They are most commonly found at depths ranging from 560 to 590 feet in summer, and in winter they penetrate deeper into the water at depths of 620 to 1310 feet.
The Tasmanian giant crab feeds on smaller, slow-moving species such as gastropods, crustaceans, and starfish. They will also feed on carrion, dead and decaying past life flesh. Male Tasmanian crabs are twice the size of females. The average is over 30 pounds for men and 15 pounds for women. Males can weigh up to 39 pounds and have one large claw. The top of their carapace is red with a yellow or light belly.
# 1: Japanese spider crab
The Japanese spider crab is the largest crab in the world. The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) has the longest legs among all anthropods. From claw to claw, the span of their legs is about 12 feet. They have a shell width of 16 inches and can weigh up to 42 pounds. Around Japan’s Hanshu Islands, as far as Tokyo Bay, this gentle giant lives from 160 to 1970 feet.
The Japanese spider crab has a pearly shape with a narrow head, orange, covered with dark spots. To avoid predators, they will rub algae and sponges to better camouflage themselves in the ocean. Large fish and octopuses are their most common predators along with humans. Measures have been taken to ensure that the population of this species does not decline due to overfishing. A diet of decaying substances on the seabed helps this species live up to 100 years.
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