Hi Laura, Thanks so much for for keeping an eye out for green crab in Jefferson County! Thanks to your great photos, I’m able to ID the crabs you’ve found as our native hairy helmet crab. These common crabs are longer front-to-back than the gem-/pentagonal-shaped invasive European green crab and also have 6 teeth (widest at their 5th), while green crabs are widest at their 5th and final tooth. They’re commonly confused, but an important part of our native ecosystems. Please keep the reports coming with any crabs you’re not sure on. We’re always happy to take a second look!
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Hi Laura, Thanks so much for for keeping an eye out for green crab in Jefferson County! Thanks to your great photos, I’m able to ID the crabs you’ve found as our native hairy helmet crab. These common crabs are longer front-to-back than the gem-/pentagonal-shaped invasive European green crab and also have 6 teeth (widest at their 5th), while green crabs are widest at their 5th and final tooth. They’re commonly confused, but an important part of our native ecosystems. Please keep the reports coming with any crabs you’re not sure on. We’re always happy to take a second look!
Thank you, Lisa! I was hoping I was wrong about this crab, as I left him happily crawling back to the water.