Body shape is similar to that of other swimming crabs (e.g. Atlantic Blue Crab) with a pair of front legs with chelae (claws) on the end, three pairs of walking legs and one pair of swimming legs in the back where the ends are flattened into paddles. Its markings are irregular white to tan spots on a brown or olive background.
Average Maximum Size:
15 cm (6 in) carapace width
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
Speckled Crabs can be distinguished from Lesser and Atlantic Blue Crabs by their mottled, spotted coloring.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
Massachusetts to Argentina
Habitat:
Generally not found in waters where salinity drops below 28 PSU, shallow water and sandy beaches.
