Northern kelp crab

Description:

Aka Shield-backed kelp crab is easily distiguished from other crabs with its dark brown and pointy carapace.

Habitat:

Spotted at low tide at Point No Point County Park.

Notes:

Like the shore crabs, kelp crabs are herbivores most of the time. During the summer they nip off bits of brown algae such as kelp, rockweed, and sargassum, as well as several types of red algae. When the algae die back during winter, they turn to an animal diet, including small mussels and barnacles as well as smaller creatures such as bryozoans and hydroids. An animal that can change its diet seasonally is always at an advantage.