Red Rock Crab

ocean · crabs · rocky shores

Super speedy climber. Red rock crabs are incredibly agile and can scurry up wet, slippery rocks faster than you might think, using their strong legs to grip the tiniest bumps.

Splash zone home. These crabs live in the rocky intertidal zone where waves crash, which is a tough neighborhood because they have to handle being underwater one minute and dry the next.

Bright red color. They get their name from their striking red or orange shell, which helps them blend in with the red and orange rocks they call home.

Algae and scraps. Red rock crabs are scavengers that eat algae, small animals, and leftover bits of food they find in tide pools.

Pacific coast stars. You can find millions of these crabs along the coasts from California all the way down to South America, making them one of the most successful crabs in that region.