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Hemigrapsus sanguineus
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THE CRIMES: Likes to "munch" on very young native oysters, mussels, and clams living in the rocky intertidal zone of the East Coast. Cracks open the shellfish with its claws, eating food that native shorebirds and fishes rely on or that shellfish farmers are trying to grow for harvest. Forces native and other invasive crabs to "move out" from their favorite rocky habitat. DESCRIPTION: Shell is almost squarish in shape, with three spines on either side of the shell. Largest crabs can be about 1 ½ inches across. Coloration is mottled black and tannish-gray. Pointed tips on the ends of the walking legs, and two small claws. Legs have a distinctive striped pattern on them. Can be found skulking around shallow rocks at low tide. The Interrogation
Where are you from?
I came to the East Coast of the U.S. in the late 1980s. While I first landed in New Jersey, I have since
traveled north to the lovely rocky habitats of the New England coastline. I really like these rocks! They remind me of my home
on the shores of Japan. I have also traveled south to North Carolina, but there's a lot of sand and not enough rocks down there
to make me really happy. In addition to "chowing down" on delicious clams and oysters, I can also eat bits of seaweed, worms,
and other crabs, including that pesky Green Crab.
How did you get here to the East Coast and how do you move around?
My "wheels" vary. I first arrived in the ballast water of ships, the water used to keep the ships
stable at sea, so they don't tip over. Humans can be very helpful in moving me from one area to a new one. When I'm
very young, I float in the ocean as a type of zooplankton and let the currents move me along. When I'm a young "punk"
and ready to settle down, so to speak, I use the high tides to help me move into the rocky intertidal zone. I like to
hide under rocks and seaweeds and I blend in very well so hungry critters can't find me.
How many of your buddies live along the East Coast?
There are probably millions of us by now. Our female crabs are very good at producing lots of
eggs, more than 50,000 in each brood, with multiples broods over several years. That's a common trait of us "movers
and shaker-uppers"! We're movin' in and you can't stop us!
Reward:
The honor of protecting our water resources— A healthier environment
and more opportunities to enjoy our natural areas.
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