Is that a Dungeness crab or a rock crab? Will you be capable of distinguishing between them? Though these changes are minor, they can be distinguished by physical characteristics. In this article, we examine how to precisely recognise both varieties of crab using indicative characteristics that set them apart. Keep reading to solve the enigma of the rock crab vs. the Dungeness crab. Know more about: Dungeness Crab
Contrasting Dungeness crab with rock crab
Size
A distinction between rock crabs and Dungeness crabs is their shape variation. With an ultimate shell width of approximately six inches, rock crabs are generally smaller in size than Dungeness crabs. On the other hand, the Dungeness crabs’ shell may measure as much as ten inches wide.
Diet and the Variation of Claws
The claws of the rock crab are generally smaller and sharper than those of the Dungeness crab. This difference results from their diet being composed of hard-shelled foods. Therefore, they require powerful, sharp claws to efficiently pierce and rip through the outer skeletons of their meal. The dietary requirements of a Dungeness crab include a range of foods, including soft- and hard-bodied animals. Their claws are better suited for firm clutches and breaking than for piercing. These two types of crabs show how claw shapes may change to accommodate various food requirements.
Protective Effects of Colour Against Predators
The body of a Dungeness crab is often a deeper shade of red or maroon than that of a rock crab. Dungeness crabs often reside in deeper waters with less sunlight exposure, which accounts for their unusual colour. As an outcome, they have more colour in their bodies, which aids in shielding them from predators like people, sea lions, and squid. The deeper hue also aids in the crabs’ ability to blend in when they hide amid the stony corals of their surroundings. Alternately, the brownish-red shell of the rock crab complements the region of its natural habitat, which is stonier and sandier, nicely.
Legs in Connection to the Fight for Survival
A rock crab’s legs are normally coated with small spines, whereas the ones of a Dungeness crab are spineless. This spiky characteristic is a fundamental discrepancy between the two varieties of crabs. The spines aim to provide defence against predators. The absence of spines on the legs of a Dungeness crab renders them more susceptible to attackers, although their vast volume helps compensate for this lack of further defence. The rock crabs’ legs with spines can also assist them in clinging onto stones and other surfaces, contrasting with the Dungeness crab, which alternatively depends on its claws for mobility.
Sex Recognition
A rock crabs’ type can be determined easily since the male has huge, flat-topped claws. The gender of a Dungeness crab, though, can be harder to ascertain. Gazing at the crab’s bottom will help you distinguish between the sexes since males have a larger sternal disc and females have a smaller disc.