Male? Female? How's One To Know???

OK, so you probably aren't wild about knowing how to tell the difference between a he and a she blue crab. Still, think of all the crazy things you know that serve no earthly purpose other than your knowing it... Weird little things. Things you have privately thought to yourself: Why do I know that and what does it matter? Well that's what this is. If ever it comes up YOU will know how to tell the difference between a Male & Female Blue Crab. YOU will be brilliant. YOU will be one cool mother! On to the lesson...

To determine the sex of a blue crab simply turn them on their back. OK, carefully turn them on their back if they are still alive with pincher's firmly intact.

This is a Male Blue Crab. They are easily identifiable. See what looks like the Washington Monument in the center of its belly? See how narrow and pointed it is? Only the males have this design. Males are called "Jimmies". Cool. Let's go check out the gals...

This is an immature Female Blue Crab. Check out the ladies belly. No piercings but see how her Washington Monument is way wider than the Male. Her's is not narrow at all. In fact, her's looks more like a triangle. Immature females are called "Sallies". A typical life span of a Blue Crab is between two and half and three years. They mature around 18 months or so. Blue Crab motto: Live Fast & Die Young...

This is a mature Female Blue Crab. Check the belly on this hunkahunk of burnin' love. No Washington Monument or triangle for her. Nope, the mature Female Blue Crab sports the Capitol Building. Compare that to the male's Washington Monument. Pretty darn easy to tell who's who wouldn't you say? A mature Female Blue Crab goes by the sexy name of Sook. Yep, you read that right. Sook. Not "Jimmie", Not "Sallie" but "Sook". Hey, I don't make up the names I'm just here to fill up a few more of your dwindling brain cells with senseless junk science...

Oh, one last thing. This is cool. Check out these pics. The Male Blue Crab has BLUE claws. The Female Blue Crab paints hers RED! Get back. Love the painted nails girl.



That's it. You're a professional Blue Crab identification expert. Don't forget to strut your stuff when the occasion arises. And if you're real smart, try and get someone else to do the cleaning and picking...

peace
fm