Let the Crabs Feast!

Jumbo Crabs cause quite a stir during a crab feast with sizes ranging from 6”-7” point-to-point on the top shell. Watermen need a fair way to size the crabs and this measurement does coincide with the amount of meat within the crab’s two cavities, back swimming legs and claws. The more blue crabs eat, the more meat, of course. Lifecycle plays a part too. Crabs live an average of 3 years, so naturally in year 3, they’ll measure more.

What do they eat? All kinds of bay goodies! Since they are omnivores, which means they eat plants and animals, they have much to choose from. Plankton, insects, worms, fish, clams, oysters, and shrimp cause the blue crab’s stomach to rumble! They even eat the barnacles off a boat. Have you ever noticed a crab hanging around the water’s surface, scoping out a boat’s side; that’s what he found.

Do they have a nose? No, but they do have chemoreceptors, a sensor that identifies tasty morsels. Not a smell, but a sense. Of course, with their two strong pincers, they can obtain their feast more easily. All this eating gives us the best nutrition. For starters, blue crabs supply 17 grams protein, 275 mg. of potassium, and loads of B-12 vitamin. Protein builds muscles, while potassium helps with the nervous system. B-12 vitamin keeps the ticker strong. The better the crab’s diet, the health benefits increase. Also, with a robust diet, the probability they grow up to a jumbo size skyrockets, and we all want that!