Snow crab

Snow crab is a common name used for several cold-water crabs in the genus Chionoecetes, especially Chionoecetes opilio.

Snow crab is a common name used for several cold-water crabs in the genus Chionoecetes, especially Chionoecetes opilio. These crabs live in the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans and are important commercial seafood species. In Canada, snow crab is a major fishery, particularly in Atlantic Canada, where it is also known as queen crab or spider crab.

Taxonomy and naming

Snow crab is not a single species name in all usage; it is a market and common name for several species in the genus Chionoecetes. The primary species usually meant is Chionoecetes opilio, while Chionoecetes bairdi is also marketed as snow crab in some contexts.

Distribution and habitat

Snow crabs occur in cold waters of the North Pacific and North Atlantic, including areas off Alaska, Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They live on soft mud or sand bottoms, often at moderate to deep depths, and are adapted to cold water.

Biology and appearance

Snow crabs have a small round body, long slender legs, and two front claws. Males are much larger than females, and the species can live for many years. Their appearance is adapted to cold-water environments.

Fishery and human use

Snow crab is a commercially valuable seafood species, especially in Atlantic Canada and Alaska. Canada is a major producer and exporter; the fishery targets mainly males. In Atlantic Canada, snow crab is a key commercial fishery and a significant export species.