rock crab
Hard-shelled coastal scavenger
Rock crab refers to several species of crabs found along rocky coastlines, particularly in North America.
They live in crevices and tide pools, emerging to scavenge.
The Atlantic rock crab and Pacific rock crab are both harvested commercially, though they're less prized than Dungeness or blue crabs: We caught some rock crabs off the jetty.
Ten-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- crustaceaJointed-leg marine animals
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
cephalothorax · abdomen · mandible · gills · eyestalks · pincers · shell · molting
Coastal rock hollows holding seawater
- rocky shoresStone-covered coastal margins
- intertidalZone between high and low watermarks
- jettiesStructures extending into water
- bouldersLarge rounded stones
crevices · kelp beds · pilings · reef · seaweed · barnacles · subtidal · estuary
Animal gripping nails
- seafoodMarine creatures as cuisine
- steamedHeated by vapor
- chowderThick creamy seafood soup
- butterSolid fat from cream
lemon · garlic · delicacy · bisque · picking · cracker · mallet · Dungeness
Seeker of refuse
- omnivoreEats plants and animals
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- detritusLoose waste from decay
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
mollusks · prey · forager · nocturnal · territorial · burrowing · camouflage · regeneration
decapod
Ten-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- crustaceaJointed-leg marine animals
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
crustacean · species · genus
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
antennae · cephalothorax · abdomen · mandible · gills · eyestalks · pincers · shell · molting
tidepools
Coastal rock hollows holding seawater
- rocky shoresStone-covered coastal margins
- intertidalZone between high and low watermarks
- jettiesStructures extending into water
boulders · crevices · kelp beds · pilings · reef · seaweed · barnacles · subtidal · estuary · coastline
claws
Animal gripping nails
butter · lemon · garlic · delicacy · bisque · picking · cracker · mallet · Dungeness · market
scavenger
Seeker of refuse
algae · mollusks · prey · forager · nocturnal · territorial · burrowing · camouflage · regeneration · tide cycle
hardy
Able to endure difficulty
tenacious · survivor · tolerant · rugged · cold-water · temperature range · salinity · durable
rock crabsand crab
Burrowing coastal crustacean
mud crab · blue crab · soft-shell crab · fiddler crab · ghost crab
rock, crab, crabby, rocks, crabs, crabbed, crabbing, hermit crab, crabbiness