How to differentiate between male and female crabs?

There is a belief that male crabs have better meat quality than female crabs. So, what is the truth behind this claim and how can we differentiate between male and female crabs?

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Crab is a familiar seafood in every Vietnamese family’s meal. Crabs can be prepared in many different dishes and they provide a lot of calcium and nutrients. But how to choose delicious crabs with a lot of meat is something not everyone knows. And is male crab or female crab more nutritious?

How to distinguish male and female crabs?

How to distinguish male and female crabs

Just pay attention to a few characteristics below, and you can easily distinguish male and female crabs

– Crab apron

The clearest way to distinguish male and female crabs is to look at the underside. If it is a male crab, the apron will be narrow and triangular in shape. Female crabs have a wider apron, round in shape, and during the breeding season this apron will contain a lot of eggs.

The crab apron is the easiest part to distinguish between male and female crabs.

– Crab shell

In terms of shape, female crabs have a wider shell, rounder in shape, while male crabs have a longer and sleeker shell. Male crabs have a darker brown color than female crabs.

To choose delicious crabs, you can gently press the crab shell with your hand. If it has good elasticity, the meat of that crab will be more delicious and have more meat. But if the crab shell is soft when pressed, then that crab will have less meat and fewer shells. In addition, you should not choose crabs that are black and no longer move, as they are dead crabs.

– Crab claws

Male crabs have larger and stronger claws, with a hard outer shell and a darker brown color than female crabs. Female crab claws are slightly smaller than male crab claws, and the color of female crab claws is also lighter.

Are male or female crabs more nutritious?

For different types of crabs, their nutritional value will vary, and it also depends on each person’s taste preferences.

– If you prefer a delicious and non-greasy meat, then male crabs are a good choice. The meat of male crabs will have a refreshing and characteristic taste.

– If you like the rich and creamy taste of crab eggs, then female crabs are a good choice. The combination of female crab meat with golden and creamy eggs creates an attractive and nutritious flavor.

Crabs are expensive food, so pay attention to the above characteristics when choosing crabs that are suitable for your family’s taste.

According to VTC

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Frequently asked questions

There are a few key ways to differentiate between the sexes. Firstly, male crabs typically have a narrower and smaller abdomen compared to females, whose abdomens are larger and rounder to accommodate eggs. Secondly, the apron (abdomen flap) of male crabs is usually longer and more pointed, while females have a shorter and more rounded apron. Additionally, the coloration can be indicative – males tend to have brighter and more vibrant colors, especially on their claws and legs.

Yes, male crabs tend to be more aggressive and territorial, particularly during the mating season. They will often engage in ‘dominance rituals’ to establish hierarchy and can become quite combative. Females, on the other hand, are generally less confrontational and tend to focus more on foraging and caring for their young.

While size is not a definitive indicator, male crabs do tend to grow larger than females on average. This is due to the increased resources males allocate to the development of larger claws and legs, which are used for display and combat. However, it’s important to note that there can be significant variation in size within each sex, so size alone is not a foolproof method of determination.

In addition to the aforementioned traits, the shape of the carapace (shell) can be indicative. Male crabs often have a broader, more elongated carapace, while females tend to have a slightly narrower and shorter carapace. Moreover, the setae (small hairs) on a crab’s claws and legs can vary between the sexes, with males typically having longer and more prominent setae.

No, both male and female crabs have the same number of legs – typically ten. However, as mentioned earlier, the coloration and size of the legs may differ, with males often displaying brighter colors and larger leg spans.

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