Pugettia producta

The Northern Kelp Crab

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
Subclass Eumalacostraca
Order Decapoda
Suborder Pleocymata
Infraorder Brachyura
Family Majidae
Genus Pugettia
Species producta

Description: Can reach a size of 9.3 cm; upper carapace usually olive or olive brown, lower surface may be red, yellow or orange; carapace is broad and smooth with a short projection coming off the front called a rostrum.

Habitat: Found on pilings, floats and among kelp.

Natural History: Adults usually do not intentionally decorate their carapace, relying only on their coloration and fiesty disposition for defense. When the kelp dies back in winter, P. producta feed on barnacles, hydroids and bryzoans.