Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas)

OTHER NAMES: Applejacks, Green Shore Crab, Green Crab, European Green Crab
Latin Etymology: Carcinus ("crab") maenas ("raving/frantic")

Young Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas) at Trevose Head - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: up to 150g  /  Length: 9cm  /  Width: 21cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

For most people in the UK, this is the species of crab they are most likely to encounter in the wild - a dweller of shorelines commonly found in rockpools.  Originally from Northern Europe, they are an invasive species at locations of appropriate temperatures, and have established themselves on all continents except Asia and Antarctica.  They are edible, and fished commercially on a relatively small scale.

Related Species:
Order: Decapoda
Family: Portunidae
Genus: Carcinus
Subspecies: Unclear

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident of rocky coasts.

 - Seen at a number of coastal sites including Trevose Head,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto