Photo: Lycaon · Image source ·CC BY-SA 3.0
Animal profile · Crustaceans · Shore crab
European green crab
Carcinus maenas
The European green crab is a small, adaptable crab of rocky shores, mudflats, and estuaries. It has spread beyond Europe and can compete with native coastal animals.
Not a fish · an aquatic neighborWater
Saltwater + Brackish
Rocky shores, mudflats, eelgrass beds, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters.
Temperature
Range not established
A dependable species-specific wild temperature range was not established from the reviewed sources, so both values are null.
Size
Up to about 9 cm (3.5 in) carapace width
About the width of a small orange
Lifespan
Usually about 3–5 years.
Life expectancy varies with place, conditions, and what scientists have been able to observe.
01 · Signature adaptation
What does it do?
It hides beneath rocks or vegetation and forages through shallow habitat. Its planktonic larvae can disperse widely with coastal currents.
02 · Home coordinates
Where does it live?
Native to European and North African Atlantic coasts; introduced to many temperate coasts in North America, Australia, South Africa, and elsewhere.
Regions: Northeast Atlantic · Introduced coasts worldwide
03 · The menu
What does it eat?
It crushes shellfish, hunts small animals, grazes algae, and scavenges.
Omnivore and predator: clams, mussels, worms, small crabs, fish, algae, carrion.
04 · Remember this
Two wow facts
Global traveler
It has established populations on several continents after transport by ships and other human activities.
Sources [1]
Flexible eater
Its varied diet includes shellfish, worms, algae, carrion, and other crabs.
Sources [1]