Identification
Mitten crab key identification features
- Grey-green to dark brown crab
- Long walking legs
- Squarish body up to 86 mm across
- Dense brown 'fur' on the white-tipped claws
- Habitat: rivers, brackish water estuaries, rarely along the marine inshore coast
- 4+4+4 pattern of teeth around front of shell
- Juveniles may lack 'fur' on claws
Similar species
Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas)
- Lacks 'fur' on claws
- Shell shape more triangular
- Found on the sea shore and in estuaries but never in freshwater rivers
Broad clawed porcelain crab (Porcellana platycheles)
- 2 long antennae
- Only 3 pairs of walking legs apparent
- Found on the sea shore but never in freshwater rivers
For more information on UK crab species see the MarLIN website