Crabs have many different parts, but only some are edible. It's important to learn their anatomy so you know which parts are worth cracking into and which may be better suited as a base for a stock.
Crab Anatomy Basics: Parts of the Crab
There are several thousand species of crabs in the oceans. While each is unique, they share anatomical similarities. Crabs are crustaceans, so they have a hard outer shell known as an exoskeleton, which protects them from predators and environmental factors. The following parts make up the anatomy of a crab:
- Claw or chela: The first pair of legs on a crab end with claws. Crabs use their claws to catch food, defend against predators, and engage in fights with other crabs.
- Antennae: Crabs generally have two pairs of antennae, also known as feelers. The first set of antennae is short and helps crabs assess whether what they touch is suitable food. The long antennae help them navigate through murky water, easily picking up vibrations and providing other tactile information.
- Eyes: Located on short, movable stalks, crabs can adjust their eyes and tuck them into their sockets for protection. They have compound eyes with panoramic vision. While they can't focus well, their eyes are highly sensitive to UV light and can detect the slightest movements around them. The eyestalks also produce a hormone that helps regulate the crabs' metabolism and molting process.
- Walking legs: Crabs generally have three pairs of legs for walking. While they are capable of walking forward, they generally walk sideways.
- Swimming legs: A crab's last pair of legs are flat and help with swimming.
- Dactyl: On a crab's walking legs, the dactyl is the last segment that touches the ocean floor as the crab walks. It is also the movable part of a crab's claw.
- Carpus: The carpus is part of a crab's legs, the fifth segment that connects the merus to the propodus.
- Merus: The merus is a sweet, tender cut of a king crab located in the crab's leg between the knuckle and first joint. This part is one of the most prized sections of a king crab.
- Propodus: This portion comprises most of a crab's claw, including the immovable finger and the palm-like area.
- Cephalothorax: This part contains the head and chest regions of a crab, helping protect vital organs such as the brain, heart, stomach, bladder, and reproductive organs.
- Abdomen: A crab's abdomen is below the cephalothorax. It is a delicate part that is unprotected by the exoskeleton.
How Many Legs Do Crabs Have?
Crabs typically have 10 legs — one pair of pincers and four pairs of walking legs. However, the number of legs can vary by species. Some crabs, such as the porcelain crab, have only eight legs.
The Anatomy of a King Crab
The king crab is one of the largest edible crabs, and its anatomy is similar to that of other crabs, except that it has six walking legs instead of eight. Its claws are also distinct in shape: the larger claw is used for crushing prey, while the smaller claw handles food delicately. You can also easily distinguish male and female king crabs by their abdomen flaps — a male has a narrow flap, while a female has a wider one.
There are three main types of king crab available on the market, each distinct in its appearance:
- Red king crab: This popular crab has a reddish-brown shell and is highly sought after worldwide. Red king crabs are found in British Columbia, Japan, and Alaska, especially in Bristol Bay and the Kodiak Archipelago. They live from the intertidal zone to depths of 100 fathoms or more, and can grow up to 24 pounds with a leg span of up to 5 feet.
- Blue king crab: This crab's shell has a blue hue, and its legs are more slender and oval-shaped than those of the red king crab.
- Golden king crab: The smallest of the three varieties, this crab has less meat, weighing between 5 and 8 pounds with a golden-orange shell.
- Jonah crab: This oval-shaped crab has a red top and a yellowish underside, sometimes with mottling of yellow and red on its legs. Jonah crabs are typically found along the Atlantic Coast from Newfoundland to Florida.
The Size of Crabs
There are over 4,500 species of crab, each with distinctive features. Here are some of the most well-known edible crabs on the market:
- Blue crab: This blue-green crab is abundant on the East Coast of the U.S. Blue crabs can grow up to 9 inches, but they are typically harvested at 3 ½ to 5 ½ inches and weigh about ⅓ pound.
- Dungeness crab: This brownish-purple crab usually measures 6-7 inches across but can reach sizes of over 10 inches.
- King crab: One of the largest crab species, it can weigh up to 25 pounds with a leg span of up to 10 feet. Approximately 25% of its body offers edible meat, primarily from the legs and claws.
- Peekytoe crab: With a red or orange shell and a white belly, Peekytoe crabs usually don't exceed 5 inches in width.
- Jonah crab: Male Jonah crabs can have a carapace width of about 7 inches. Interstate Fishery Management regulations prohibit fishing for Jonah crabs under 4 ¾ inches.
What Parts of the Crab Are Edible?
Here are some of the most delicious parts of a crab and how to enjoy them:
- Claws: A crab's claws contain the largest amount of muscle and, therefore, the juiciest meat. They are typically tastier and easier to eat than other parts.
- Legs: The leg meat tends to separate easily from the shell. You can extract it by breaking the joints backward and sliding the meat out.
- Body: Crabs with wider bodies, like Dungeness and blue crabs, offer more meat in their bodies than smaller crabs. For smaller crabs, using the bodies for stocks and sauces may be more worthwhile.
- Shells: Crab shells are great for making a flavorful fish stock. Boil them for about 10 minutes, then strain out the shells.
- Back fins: This part of the crab is especially tasty. Simply cut the crab in half to reveal the back fin and remove the flesh.
- Mustard: Also known as the green gland or tomalley, this edible part filters blood impurities. It has a pungent taste that only some people enjoy.
Order King Crab Today
Crabs offer many delicious parts, and some can even be used to flavor fish stock for other dishes. When it comes to king crabs, the most prized parts are their legs, with succulent meat and a sweet flavor that people around the world love!
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