Mud crab

The mud crab (Scylla serrata) is a larg dark brownish-green crab that grows up to 25 cm (about 10 in) and weigh up to 3.5 kg (almost 8 lb). Mud crabs use their large claws to catch prey and defend themselves from attackers. If you can avoid being nipped they make good tucker! Mud crabs hide in the muddy bottoms of estuaries and mangrove forests during the day and come out to hunt at night. They eat molluscs, small crabs, snails and worms. The mud crab's back legs are flattened to help them swim. Mud crabs can be found in a large area ranging from the northern half of Australia, the Philippines, the east coast of Africa and Pacific islands including Samoa and Fiji.