Blue crab

(Callinectes sapidus)

Callinectes sapidus, the blue crab, is a bottom-dweller found in a variety of habitats ranging from the saltiest water of the gulf to almost fresh water of the back bays. Especially common in estuaries, this species ranges into fresh water, and may be found offshore. Callinectes sapidus spreads from the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to Argentina, it was introduced, accidentally or deliberately, into both Asia and Europe. Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

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Phylum

Arthropoda

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Class

Malacostraca

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Order

Decapoda

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Family

Portunidae

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Genus

Callinectes

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Species

Callinectes sapidus

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A Blue crab has a bilateral symmetry which means if you cut it in half and fold it together then it would match up. On the top part of its body it is an olive color.  In the cracks were the top ends of its pincher claws meet up they are a light baby blue and at the end of the claws it just happens to be bright orange. To accommodate swimming, the fifth leg is adapted to a paddle-like shape. Callinectes sapidus is very aggressive when threatened, except when it has recently molted and still has soft shells leaving it vulnerable. The crab will also burrow into the sand to hide. Callinectes sapidus is an active swimmer and has its last pair of walking legs adapted to be shaped like a paddle to accommodate swimming. It also has three pairs of walking legs. Blue crabs have three pairs of legs and walk sideways. Its main predators are humans and sea turtles. Its prey includes fish, aquatic vegetation, mollusks, crustaceans, and annelids. Blue crabs are heterotrophic. Blue crabs are endothermic.www.googleimages.com