Common Name:
Atlantic rock crab
Scientific Name:
Cancer irroratus
Unique Qualities:
It can grow new legs! If a leg is damaged, the crab can replace it by growing another. When the crab is ready to molt (shed its exoskeleton), a new leg appears. The new leg is smaller and it will take a few molts before the leg is back to its original size.
Can be Seen:
Along the coast of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and all the way down to Florida.
Likes to Hang Out:
Scuttling along sideways on rocky or sandy shorelines as well as on the bottom of the ocean in water 780 m deep. That's the same as 390 deep ends of a swimming pool on top of each other!
Likes to Eat:
Just about anything! Most crabs are scavengers and eat whatever they can get their claws on, from dead fish and seaweed to scallops and mussels.
Status:
Scientific research tells us that the rock crab population is still healthy and abundant. However, scientists warn that overharvesting is a potential problem and that the government should closely monitor their population.
