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| Florida Stone Crab |
Adult Stone crabs are easily recognized by their oval body and two large
claws. The adult body of the Stone crab is dark brownish red, more or less mottled and spotted with dusky gray.
An interesting feature about the Stone crab is the mark on the inside of the large claw that resembles a thumb print.
Stone crabs have the unusual ability to cast off their legs or pincers
if caught by one leg or experience extreme temperature change. The separation always occurs at the joint to protect
the crab from bleeding. Claw regeneration to harvestable size is often withing 12 months. The Stone crab can regenerate
its claws three to four times during its life time.
Stone crabs inhabit bays and estuaries where they hide under rocks and
shell fragments. When fully grown they move into shoals just below the low tide mark and dig oblique burrows 12 to 20
inches deep. Stone crabs are found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts but are commercially harvested almost entirely
in Florida.
Stone crabs are not hurt when harvested. Florida law forbids the taking of whole Stone crabs
and therefore only one claw is removed during harvesting. Once caught, fishermen are allowed to take claws at least
2¾ inches long and are required to return stone crabs safely to the water.
The highly nutritious meat is considered a delicacy and is usually boiled
and served in the shell with a sauce.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size 4 oz, raw (appx.114
grams)
Calories 60
Total Fat 0g
Sat. Fat 0g
Cholesterol 45mg
Sodium 300mg
Carbohydrates 0g
Protein 15g
Nutritional information provided by
USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory.
Additional information provided by University of Florida Institute of Food And Agricultural Sciences and
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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