Stone crabs a tasty delicacy

Q: We found a crab with black tips on the end of its big claws. It had dug into the sand next to a piling at our dock. It didn’t look anything like the blue crabs we usually see. Any idea what kind of crab it could be?

A: The black pincers on the end of the claws are the giveaway for this crotchety crustacean -- it’s a stone crab.

These heavy-shelled, thick-bodied crabs are easily recognizable by the dark brown or black tips on their front claws. In some areas, the dark ends of the pincers give the crab the nickname black fingers.

The claw meat is highly regarded by seafood lovers and is much sought after as a food source in some parts of the country. Stone crab claws are particularly popular on Florida menus.

These sturdy crabs can grow to measure 5 inches across. The oval shell is a sort of brownish-red with gray spots and tan underneath. The pincers are heavy and unequal and have different functions. The large, blunt-edged claw is used to hold and crush food. The smaller saw-edged claw is used to pinch, rip and tear prey. If handled carelessly, the claws are powerful enough to crush human fingers. The walking legs are heavy and hairy.

The stone crab is the largest member of the mud crab family and is slower-moving and less aggressive than the blue crab. Unlike the blue crab, it does not swim. Adult stone crabs are commonly found tucked in rock jetties or stony, coral crevices, but they also inhabit deep burrows dug into soft bottom sediments. Young crabs are found in grass and shell bottoms of channels.

These hefty crabs prey on barnacles as well as small oysters and clams. The heavy claws can easily crack the shells of smaller mollusks.

The claw meat of stone crabs is considered a delicacy and the harvest is regulated in most states. In many states only the larger claw may be taken. The claw is broken off and the live crab is returned to the water, where it will regenerate a new claw in about two months. Some consumers consider the claw meat to be a bit more stringy and not nearly as sweet as the Atlantic blue crab.

Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquariums on Roanoke Island, at Fort Fisher and at Pine Knoll Shores, or Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head.

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