Tuerkayana hirtipes

(Dana, 1851)

Vernacular names
English : Blue land crab
French : Crabe terrestre bleu

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Gecarcinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum carapace diameter of 20 cm. Distinctively inflated carapace, from dull brown to grey-blue in color with large clear grey-white claws, darker grey legs covered with conspicuous black hairs.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean, from Malaysia and Indonesia to Japan, east to Fiji and New Caledonia. Lives in mangroves, beaches, coastal swamps.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is very common within its range. It is sometimes collected for the pet trade but this doesn’t seem to be a threat at present times.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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