Top 10 Largest Crab Species In The World
About 1476 species of crabs are found all over the world, where most of these species live in water, while there are some species that make their nest on land instead of water.
There are many such crabs found in the world, which will blow your mind just by seeing them because their size is so big that you cannot even imagine. So in this article, we will talk about the 10 largest crab species in the World.
List Of Largest Crab Species In The World
1. Japanese Spider Crab
The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is a species of marine crab known for its long legs, which can span up to 3.8 meters. Which makes the Japanese spider crab the biggest crab in the world and weighs up to 42 pounds. It is found in Pacific waters off the coast of Japan and is considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine.
The biggest spider crab is a slow-moving bottom dweller and feeds on a variety of organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans. It is a solitary animal and is typically found at depths of between 100 and 600 meters. The species is considered to be a symbol of good luck in Japanese culture, and it is widely consumed as a food source.
The largest Spider Crab has a life span of up to 100 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae. The larvae then undergo a series of molts before reaching adulthood. Japanese spider crabs population has declined due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species and its habitat.
2. King Crab
The king (Lithodidae) crab is a species of crab that is found in the cold waters of the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. It is a commercially important species for the crab fishing industry and is known for its sweet and succulent meat.
King crab is the 2nd world’s largest crab. It has a red or orange exoskeleton and can grow up to 1 meter in length and weigh up to 45 pounds (20 kg). It is a predatory species and feeds on a variety of prey, including small fish, mollusks, and other crustaceans.
This species is typically harvested using commercial fishing techniques such as trawling or pot fishing. The biggest king crab has a life span of up to 20 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae.
3. Alaskan King Crab
The Alaskan king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) also known as the Alaskan Red king crab, is a species of crab that is found in the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean, particularly off the coast of Alaska. The largest crab species is prized for its large size and succulent meat and is a major commercial fishery species.
The body of the Alaskan king crab is red or orange, with a hard exoskeleton and long, spiky legs. It can grow up to 1 meter in length and weigh up to 20 pounds. The species is a scavenger and feeds on various organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans.
The Alaskan king crab is typically harvested in the winter months, and the fishery is subject to strict regulations to ensure sustainable harvesting levels. This crab species has a life span of up to 20 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae.
Despite efforts to ensure sustainable harvesting levels, the Alaskan king crabs population has been impacted by overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species and its habitat.
4. Atlantic Deep Sea Red Crab
The Atlantic deep sea red crab (Chaceon quinquedens) also known as the Red Crab or the Deep-Sea Crab, is a species of crab that is found in the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its bright red color and large size and is a commercially important species for the crab fishing industry.
The Atlantic deep-sea red crab has a hard exoskeleton. It weighs up to 10 pounds and can grow up to 20 cm in length It is a slow-moving bottom dweller and feeds on a variety of organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans. The species is found at depths of between 500 and 1,500 meters.
The Atlantic red crab has a life span of up to 7 years. This biggest crab species is not considered endangered, but overfishing and habitat destruction have led to population declines in some areas. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species and its habitat.
5. Coconut Crab
The coconut crab (Birgus latro) also known as the Robber Crab or Palm Thief, is a species of terrestrial crab that is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the largest land-dwelling arthropod in the world and is known for its ability to crack open coconuts with its powerful claws.
The coconut crab has a brown or red exoskeleton and can grow up to 1 meter in length and weigh up to 9 pounds. This species is a nocturnal scavenger and feeds on various organic matter, including dead animals and plants.
The biggest coconut crabs is a solitary animal and is found on tropical islands, where it burrows into the ground to hide from predators. The species is considered a delicacy in some cultures and is hunted for its meat.
6. Horseshoe Crab
The horseshoe crab (Limulidae) is a species of marine arthropod that is found along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is called a horseshoe crab because of its unique, horseshoe-shaped exoskeleton. Despite its name, the Horseshoe Crab is not a true crab but is instead more closely related to spiders and scorpions.
The horseshoe crab has a hard exoskeleton that protects its body, and long, spiky legs for movement. It can grow up to 60 cm in length and weigh up to 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). This species is a scavenger and feeds on various organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans.
The horseshoe crabs is an essential species for the biomedical industry, as its blue blood contains a substance called Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL), which is used to test for bacterial endotoxins. The largest crab species is also an important food source for migratory shorebirds, which feed on their eggs during their annual migration.
7. Snow Crab
The snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) also known as the Queen Crab or Spider Crab, is a species of crab that is found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. It is a commercially important species for the crab fishing industry and is known for its sweet and succulent meat.
The snow crab has a tan or light brown exoskeleton. snow crab can grow up to 3 pounds in weight and 20 cm in length. It is a scavenger and feeds on various organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans.
These species are typically harvested using commercial fishing techniques such as trawling. The snow crab has a life span of up to 8 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae.
8. Dungeness Crab
The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is a species of crab that is found along the Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to California. It is a commercially important species for the crab fishing industry and is known for its sweet and delicate meat.
The Dungeness crab has a dark red or brown exoskeleton. These crabs can grow up to 3 pounds in weight and 20 cm in length. It is a scavenger and feeds on various organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans.
These large crab species are typically harvested using commercial fishing techniques such as pot fishing or trap fishing. The Dungeness crab has a life span of up to 8 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae.
9. Stone Crab
The stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) is a species of crab that is found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. It is a commercially important species for the crab fishing industry and is known for its sweet and succulent meat, which is typically harvested from its claws.
The stone crab has a brown exoskeleton. These crabs can grow up to 3.5 pounds in weight and 20 cm in length. It is a scavenger and feeds on various organic matter, including dead fish and other crustaceans. The species is typically harvested using commercial fishing techniques such as trap fishing.
The stone crab has a life span of up to 8 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae.
10. Velvet Crab
The velvet crab (Necora puber) also known as the Devonshire Crab or Green Crab, is a species of crab that is found along the coasts of Europe, including the UK and the North Sea. It is a commercially important species for the crab fishing industry and is known for its sweet and delicate meat.
The velvet crab has a green or brown exoskeleton. These crabs can grow up to 2-3 pounds in weight and 8 cm in length. It is a predatory species and feeds on a variety of prey, including small fish, mollusks, and other crustaceans.
This species is typically harvested using commercial fishing techniques such as pot fishing. The velvet crab has a life span of up to 6 years and reproduces by releasing eggs into the water, where they hatch into larvae.
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