they are capable of consuming most of the shellfish species that are re-colonizing East Harbor after re-establishment of the tidal connection with Cape Cod Bay. Despite its name, the best way to identify a green crab is by looking at the shape of the carapace (shell), not its color. Marine animals have remarkable flexibility in their color and routinely change colors throughout their life history. Green crabs can be red, brown, mottled, calico etc, but the best identifying characteristic is the roughly triangular carapace shape and the five notches on each edge of the carapace.
Last updated: February 2, 2023
