Pierce County
Gig Harbor, WA
Molt Search Report
User Submitted Data
Observation Type: Opportunistic observation
Molts/crabs found: Yes
European green crabs found: Yes
Number of European green crab molts found: 1
Green crab #1
Condition of European green crab #1: Alive
Sex of European green crab #1: Uncertain
1 Comment. Leave new
Hi Marr! Thanks for keeping a lookout for European green crabs in the South Sound! I am happy to report that this green colored crab is NOT a European green crab! While it is probably the most green colored crab I have ever seen, it is in fact a hairy shore crab (Hemigrapsus oregonensis), which is a native crab species to Washington. Crabs can come in many different colors so coloration is not the most reliable way to identify different species. Check out our Molt Search ID guide here: https://wsg.washington.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Molt-Search-ID-Guide-compressed.pdf for more information on how to identify European green crabs! Best, Elyse (WSG Crab Team)