The "American Lady Crab" is a species of crab scientifically referred to as Ovalipes ocellatus. It is a marine crustacean belonging to the family of crabs known as Portunidae. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, primarily along the coast of North America, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
The American Lady Crab has a distinct appearance, characterized by a somewhat round or oval-shaped carapace, which can vary in color from reddish-brown to greenish-blue. This crab species can grow up to approximately 6 inches in width. It often possesses prominent, elongated spines on the margins of its carapace and its last pair of walking legs.
These crabs are typically found in sandy or muddy areas, such as coastal estuaries, bays, and inlets. They have a behavioral pattern of burying themselves in the sediment during the day and emerging at night in search of food. The American Lady Crab is an omnivorous species, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates, algae, and detritus.
While not commonly targeted by commercial or recreational fishing, the American Lady Crab can occasionally be caught incidentally while fishing for other species. They are generally not considered a commercially valuable crab species. However, they play an important ecological role in marine ecosystems as part of the intricate food web, serving as prey for larger predators like birds, fish, and other crustaceans.
