Dungeness crab

Description:

This crab typically grows to 20 cm (7.9 in) across the carapace and is a popular seafood prized for its sweet and tender flesh. Dungeness crabs have a wide, long, hard shell, which they must periodically moult to grow. They have five pairs of legs, which are similarly armoured, the foremost pair of which ends in claws the crab uses both as defense and to tear apart large food items. The crab uses its smaller appendages to pass the food particles into its mouth.M. magister prefers to eat clams, other crustaceans and small fish, but is also an effective scavenger. Dungeness crabs can bury themselves completely in the sand if threatened. They are fished only seasonally and only males of a certain size are allowed to be fished.

Habitat:

Is a species of crab that inhabits eelgrass beds and water bottoms on the west coast of North America. These are in the Aquarium of the Bay, SF.