` San Pedro Shelf Oceanographic Cruise


Crabs

Crabs are a type of crustacean, characterized by having a thick exoskeleton, one pair of claws (chelipeds), and five pairs of legs, the last two may be modified to a paddle-like shape for swimming. They range in size from very small (a few millimeters) to very large (4 m/17 ft). Many are edible!

Below are some photos of benthic crabs - crabs that hang out on the seafloor.

  • Top of a small crab
  • Bottom of a small crab
  • The top of another small crab
  • Bottom of another small crab
  • A small crab
  • A small crab
  • A decorator crab, so called because it deliberately places kelp and other items on its shell in order to disguese itself from predators.
  • A Graceful Kelp Crab
  • Hermit Crab
  • Hermit Crab
  • Hermit Crab
  • Hermit Crab (top)
  • Hermit Crab (bottom)
  • Hermit Crab
  • Hermit Crab
  • Hermit Crab
  • Hermit Crab
  • Horseshoe Crab
  • Mole Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab
  • Rock Crab (top)
  • Rock Crab (bottom)
  • Sand Crab