Chinese crab

The Chinese mitten crab, also known as the hairy crab, is a species of crab native to eastern Asia. It is characterized by its light brown to olive green carapace and distinctive white-tipped claws covered in thick patches of setae. This crab is valued as a food in Chinese cuisine.1

Chinese mitten crabs are considered an invasive species in Europe and North America, where they have been accidentally introduced. They are known to burrow into riverbanks, which can accelerate erosion. These crabs can also overwhelm water pumps during their spawning migrations.1

Crustaceans, as a broader category, are important to humans primarily as a food source. Many species of crabs, such as the blue crab, Dungeness crab, and stone crab, are valuable food items in North America. True lobsters are also highly prized, though overfishing has diminished catches.2