Range: The Gulf Calico
Crab can be found in warm tropical waters. It often burrows
in sandy areas in shallow waters. The Calico Crab can range
from the Chesapeake Bay to the West Indies, but they are
most abundant in the Gulf.
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Similar Species: A
similar species that can be confused with the Gulf Calico
Crab is the Spotted Porcelain Crab, Porcellana sayana, which
has spots like the Gulf Calico Crab. The difference between
the two species is that the porcelain crab has white spots
while the Calico Crab has red dots. The Porcelain Crab grows
to only half the size of a Gulf Calico Crab.
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Identification: The Gulf Calico Gulf crab can grow to 6cm (2 1/3in) long. The margins on the carapace are finely toothed. The color of the crab ranges from gray to brownish, with large spots scattered on the carapace that are red in the middle and dark around the border.
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Close up of the
spots found on a Gulf Calico Crab |
Close up of the
spots found on a Porcelain Crab
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Note: Gulf
Calico Crabs are walking crabs, meaning that their back legs
are designed for walking rather than being flattened and
used for swimming and digging. Gulf Calico Crabs are usually
scavengers rather than hunters. Another interesting note is
that the Gulf Calico Crab usually has a Tri-colored Anemone,
Calliactis tricolor on its back, that comes off when the
crab molts.
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