Hemigrapsus oregonensis

The Green Shore Crab

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
Subclass Eumalacostraca
Order Decapoda
Suborder Pleocymata
Infraorder Brachyura
Family Grapsidae
Genus Hemigrapsus
Species oregonensis

Description: Size up to 4.9 cm; color is usually dark or grayish green, but white or mottled patterns are common; carapace has three teeth; lack purplish-red spots on pincers; legs are hairy.

Habitat: Found on sandy, muddy and gravelly beaches; prefers quiet, protected areas.

Natural History: It feeds by scraping up diatoms and cutting algae, catching smaller invertebrates and by filter feeding, when necessary, by using its third maxillipeds. It also scavenges for food. This crab along with H. nudus is found in abundance throughout the Puget Sound.