Stone Crabs

Stone crabs are approximately 4 5/8" (117 mm) wide, 3 1/8" (79 mm) long. They are oval and a mottled brownish-red colour with gray spots, they are tannish beneath, and the fingers of their pincers are black.

The carapace is oval, convex and smooth. Their pincers are heavy and unequal with the largest about 1/4 longer than the carapace width. Their walking legs are stout and hairy.

The adults habitate in burrows in sandy-mud shoals just below low-tide line; The young habitate in turtle grass beds and shell and rock bottoms of channels.

They are found in the range between North Carolina to Florida and Texas; Bahamas; West Indies to the Yucatán.

The crab is the largest of the mud crabs, and the source of the delectable seafood dish, the claws. Its catch is carefully regulated in most states, and in Florida it is illegal to take females. When a male is taken, one may break off and keep the large pincer—which must be at least 4" from tip to first joint—but must return the crab to the water so that it can regenerate a new pincer. Most crustaceans are able to regenerate an appendage in 2 molts.

They are absolutely delicious and are a highly prized gourmet feast. The season for catching them is from October the 31st through to May the 31st.

The following link will take you to my stone crabs recipe page...Enjoy!



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