Crabs tend to have females being larger than males, except in unique circumstances like in the case of the Florida Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria) where males have larger carapace and chelae than females. It is a delicacy caught in the western North Atlantic Ocean. The crab belongs to the family Menippidae revealing a pale brown belly but brownish-red dorsal with gray spots. It shelters near dock piling, rocky areas, oyster reefs, and jetties. The Florida Stone Crab is a nocturnal creature, capable of migrating seasonally, and using self-amputation to district predators or takes advantage of their massive chelipeds that can withstand significant pressure.
The Florida Stone Crab has a carapace length between 3”-3.4” (7.6-8.7 cm), carapace width of 5.1”-5.7” (13-14.5 cm), body height of 2.6”-3” (6.5-7.5 cm), and weight between 3-6 oz (85-170 g). The typical lifespan of the Florida Stone Crab is between 6-8 years.
Crabs tend to have females being larger than males, except in unique circumstances like in the case of the Florida Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria) where males have larger carapace and chelae than females. It is a delicacy caught in the western North Atlantic Ocean. The crab belongs to the family Menippidae revealing a pale brown belly but brownish-red dorsal with gray spots. It shelters near dock piling, rocky areas, oyster reefs, and jetties. The Florida Stone Crab is a nocturnal creature, capable of migrating seasonally, and using self-amputation to district predators or takes advantage of their massive chelipeds that can withstand significant pressure.
The Florida Stone Crab has a carapace length between 3”-3.4” (7.6-8.7 cm), carapace width of 5.1”-5.7” (13-14.5 cm), body height of 2.6”-3” (6.5-7.5 cm), and weight between 3-6 oz (85-170 g). The typical lifespan of the Florida Stone Crab is between 6-8 years.