Callinectes sapidus
Added to Mind of Animals by Pippa
Blue crabs live in bays, rivers, and shallow coastal waters, and you can often spot them near docks or wading in the shallows. They use their two front claws to grab food and defend themselves, and those claws can give a sharp, painful pinch that may even break skin. If you find one at the beach, admire it without touching, or ask an adult to hold it safely from the back of its shell where the claws cannot reach.
Blue crabs can actually swim, not just walk sideways on the seafloor, using their two flat back legs shaped like paddles to propel themselves through the water.
Treat it with respect, keep your distance, and tell a grown-up if you see one up close.
Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant. If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.
Source: NOAA Fisheries