Green shore crab
Carcinus maenas
- Scientific name
- Carcinus maenas
- Group
- Crustaceans
- Rarity
- Common
- Where to see it
- Mediterranean, Temperate Atlantic / English Channel
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Not evaluated
Did you know?
The green shore crab is among the most invasive marine species on the planet, having colonized coastlines far from its native European range. It tolerates wide swings in salinity and temperature, and can even survive several days out of water.
What defines this group — Crustaceans
Armoured arthropods: crabs, shrimp and lobsters, all built around an external shell.
- The skeleton is on the outside; growing means shedding it — the moult.
- Jointed legs in pairs, often reshaped into claws or antennae.
- The larvae drift with the plankton in open water before settling on the bottom.
Other species in this group
- Common hermit crab
- Caribbean spiny lobster
- Skunk cleaner shrimp
- Spinous spider crab
- Common prawn
- Norway lobster