Blue crabs also play a key role in managing the populations of the animals they prey on, and constant overharvesting has had wide-ranging negative effects on the ecosystems they inhabit. Blue crabs royalty-free images 80,911 blue crabs stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free. Population Declinesīlue crabs are extremely sensitive to environmental and habitat changes, and many populations, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay in the eastern United States, have experienced severe declines. They are also excellent swimmers, with specially adapted hind appendages shaped like paddles. They feed on almost anything they can get hold of, including mussels, snails, fish, plants, and even carrion and smaller blue crabs. Large males can reach 9 inches in shell width. Close relatives of the shrimp and lobster, these bottom-dwelling omnivores have a prickly disposition and are quick to use their sharp front pincers. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. Their scientific name, Callinectes sapidus, means 'savory beautiful swimmer.' Habitat and Rangeīlue crabs are found in brackish coastal lagoons and estuaries from Nova Scotia, through the Gulf of Mexico, and as far south as Uruguay. Find Blue crabs stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. We may be biased, but you cant come to Baltimore without trying our state crustacean, the Maryland blue crab. All maryland blue crab photographs ship within 48 hours and include a 30-day. Prized by humans for their sweet, tender meat, these wide-ranging, ten-legged crustaceans are among the most heavily harvested creatures on the planet. Choose your favorite maryland blue crab photographs from 257 available designs. Its shell, or carapace, is actually a mottled brownish color, and mature females have red highlights on the tips of their pincers. The blue crab is so named because of its sapphire-tinted claws. 272 Blue Crab And Sea Premium High Res Photos Browse 272 blue crab and sea stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images.

Blue crab images