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Chinese Mitten Crab
Eriocheir sinensis
39.2858, -76.6131
Field Notes
Description:
Mitten Crabs are one of very few crabs in North America found in freshwater. Adults and juveniles (>1 inch) have furry white-tipped claws that are equal in size. Their light brown to olive green body (carapace) is is 3 to 4 inches wide in adults, it's smooth and round and has a 4 lateral spines (behind each eye), although the forth spine may be small.There is a U-shaped notch in the carapace between the crab’s eyes. They have four sharp-tipped walking legs and a claw on each side, but lack a modified swimming leg or paddle. The legs are over twice the length of the carapace.
Habitat:
Freshwater and estuaries in California, Mid-Atlantic from Maryland to New York and its potential range includes coastal waters from Virginia to Texas, the Great Lakes, and US Gulf Coast.
Notes:
For more information visit http://mittencrab.nisbase.org/
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