Shore Crab on the Moors

The shore crab is one of the most common and easily spotted creatures of the South West coast, found in rock pools, harbours, estuaries and beneath seaweed-covered stones. Usually greenish-brown but highly variable in colour, they can also appear reddish, mottled or almost black depending on habitat and age. Their quick sideways scuttle and habit of darting into cracks make them a favourite discovery for children exploring the shoreline. Shore crabs are opportunistic feeders, eating small shellfish, worms, dead fish and scraps of organic matter. In rock pools they are often the dominant predator, helping keep the small ecosystem in balance. Young crabs hide in weed and shallow pools, while larger adults may be found in deeper water or under larger rocks.

They are easiest to spot at low tide, especially on calm days when pools are clear and sunlight reveals movement among the stones. Around Devon and Cornwall they are abundant in places such as Wembury, Teignmouth back beach pools, and sheltered coves along the North Devon and Cornish coasts.