King County
Des Moines, WA
Molt Search Report
User Submitted Data
Observation Type: Timed survey
Molts/crabs found: Yes
Also submitting Dungeness crab molt data: Yes
Number of Dungeness crab molts found: 2
Sex of Dungeness crab #1: (no selection)
Rock crab 120.3 mm. And 3 Grace Crabs [1 graceful crab, two Dungeness, and one red rock crab. Dungeness total corrected. -HB]
Tidal Overview
6 hours 51 minutes before high tide
Data from Des Moines, East Passage (1.7 miles away)
High Tide (Predicted): 6:03 pm, 12' MLLW
Loading NOAA Tide Data…
■ Observed
■ Predicted water level
⬤ Report time
Weather Overview
Wind Speed: 5.6 MPH
Wind Direction: S (190°)
Temperature: 65℉
Rainfall (Calendar Day): 0"
Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0"
1 Comment. Leave new
Thanks for taking the time to do a Molt Search! During the data check we do for each report, I noticed a few tricky Dungeness crab (the middle two) that appear to have been mistaken as graceful crab. I’ve gone ahead and made some corrections based on your photo. I look for that widest 10th tooth on Dungeness and distinguish them from their look-alikes by checking for the protruding rostrum between the eyes and pie-crust fluted marginal teeth of the red rock crab and/or the notch just beyond the widest 9th tooth of the graceful crab (which I often have to feel for with my fingernail). Here are some side-by-side images in case they can be helpful and fun to study for next time: https://wsg.washington.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/MEGRvCAPRvMEMA-Slides.pdf Always happy to take a look and offer ID support, so don’t sweat ID mixups and hope you enjoy it out there next time!
In addition, as a reminder for future Molt Searches, including an object for scale (like calipers or an upside-down credit card) in your photo helps us make the most of your reports and keep our data quality high. Glad you were able to get out and enjoy the day in Des Moines. Great to have you part of the Molt Search community!