Description: A common medium-sized crab, measuring 4 – 8 cm across the carapace. Colour in this species can vary, usually to match their environment, but it is most commonly mottled olive green – dark brown on top and lighter yellow-green on the underside. The carapace has five teeth pointed teeth either side of the eyes, with 3 rounded lobes between the eyes. The first pair of legs (chelipeds) have well-developed, evenly sized pincers. Tips of the walking legs pointed.

Habitat: Widespread in a variety of habitats from the upper shore to shallow sublittoral. Also found in estuaries.

Distribution: A very common species found around all coasts of UK and Ireland.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Key Identification Features:

• Five pointed teeth at either side of eyes.
• Three rounded lobes between eyes
• Well-developed, evenly sized pincers.

Distribution Map from NBN: Carcinus maenas at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Carcinus maenas at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Carcinus maenas

WoRMS: Carcinus maenas at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 107381.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Eucarida; Decapoda; Pleocyemata; Brachyura; Eubrachyura; Heterotremata; Portunoidea; Carcinidae; Carcininae; Carcinus