Did you know a group of crabs is called a consortium? Here are 6 more collective nouns for ocean animals you might now know...
What is a group of crabs called, you ask? They're called a “cast.” And some casts can number in the thousands.
Hermit crabs are known to form groups, or 'clusters', which may occur at sites of high shell availability. Clustering may also have anti-predator benefits, if individuals in larger clusters able to spend less time engaging in defensive behaviours such as hiding in their shells.
A group of coconut crabs is called a nightmare. See these crabs as tiny juveniles and giant adults: http://bit.ly/CoconutCrabs.
Crabs belong to the subphylum Crustacean, the largest group of marine arthropods, which also includes lobster, shrimp, and krill, a shrimp-like crustacean. Crabs move sideways, walking on four pairs of legs, and holding their two legs with claws away from their body.
The Crab and Lobster Management Group (CMG) is an industry-led group focused on issues specific to crab and lobster stocks and fisheries.
The plural form of crab is crabs.
The largest crab in the world is the Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi). The crab's body can potentially grow up to 16 inches (carapace width), and the entire crab can weigh a stunning 42 pounds. The Japanese spider crab is second only to the American lobster when it comes to sheer mass.
The Japanese spider crab is a large catch for any fisherman. With a leg span of 13 feet (4 meters) and an average weight of around 40 pounds (16-20 kg), it claims the title of largest crab. It may also have the longest lifespan of any crab, living to be 100 years old.
The largest king crab on record weighed 24 pounds. The largest king crab on record weighed 24 lbs! According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the record for the largest male red king crab is 24lbs with the largest female being 10.5lbs.
While they may not be the most popular seafood choice, they are edible. Hermit crab is a delicacy in some parts of the world. The main concern with eating any crab is whether or not it is safe. Hermit crabs are safe to eat if cooked well.
Hermit crabs are crustaceans, which means they are related to crabs, lobsters and shrimp. Although it has 'crab' in its name, a hermit crab out of its shell looks more similar to a lobster than a crab.
These little stowaways are called pea crabs, so named because many of them are small (most are less than a cm wide) and round. In the southeastern US, pea crabs are a common sight inside oysters, even considered by some to be a delicacy.
“Crabs in a Bucket” – Ever heard of this phrase? If you're not familiar, it's the concept that crabs in a bucket will try to escape. If they left each other alone, and let their fellow crabs climb, they'd easily be able to get out of the bucket. But, that doesn't happen.
Blue crabs generally live for 3 or 4 years. They reach maturity in 12 to 18 months. Growth rates are affected by water temperature—they grow more quickly in warmer water. In the Gulf of Mexico, crabs may reach maturity within a year.
The Tasmanian giant crab is one of the largest crabs in the world, reaching a mass of 17.6 kg (39 lb) and a carapace width of up to 46 cm (18 in). Among crabs only the Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) can weigh more.
The best-known fishing grounds with the highest quality of crab are found in the Beagle Channel in the south of Argentina. The crab's sweet, delicately flavored meat found in the long legs and the red, spiky shell is widely regarded as one of the best crab meat in the world.
Coconut crabs live on islands and coastal mainlands through the southwest Pacific and Indian oceans, but the largest remaining population is on Christmas Island – an offshore territory of Australia, in the Indian Ocean.
As stated in its name, king crab is obviously a big creature, and it is clearly bigger than the snow crab. So far, the largest king crab that fishermen have ever found reached 20 pounds and was 5 feet long! However, generally a king crab weighs about 6 pounds while a snow crab weighs from 2 to 4 pounds.
Spider crabs are significantly larger than king crabs.
Crabs: Slang for pubic lice, parasitic insects that can infest in the genital area of humans. Pubic lice are usually spread through sexual contact.
Male blue crabs are usually referred to as “Jimmy Crabs,” immature female crabs are called “she crabs” or “Sally” crabs, and mature females are called “sooks”. Males can be distinguished from females by the apron on its abdomen.
The English word “crab” comes from the Old English “crabba,” which has a Germanic root meaning “to scratch or claw”. Which makes sense given how scrabbly these crustaceans can be.