List of U.S. state crustaceans facts for kids
As of April 2024[update] eight U.S. states and the District of Columbia have chosen special animals called crustaceans to represent them. These "state crustaceans" are often important to the state's environment or economy.
Here are the states and their official crustaceans:
- Louisiana has the freshwater crawfish, Procambarus clarkii.
- Maryland has the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.
- Oregon has the Dungeness crab, Metacarcinus magister.
- Alabama has the brown shrimp, Peneaus aztecus.
- Maine has the lobster, Homarus americanus.
- Texas has the Texas Gulf shrimp, which includes Penaeus aztecus, P. setiferus, and P. duorarum.
- Utah has the brine shrimp.
- Georgia has the white shrimp.
- District of Columbia has the Hay's spring amphipod.
Contents
Louisiana Crawfish: A State Symbol
In 1983, the state of Louisiana officially picked the Louisiana crawfish, Procambarus clarkii, as its state crustacean. These crawfish are naturally found along the Gulf Coast. This area stretches from northern Mexico all the way to the Florida panhandle. You can also find them further inland, up to southern Illinois and Ohio.
Where Do Louisiana Crawfish Live?
Louisiana crawfish love warm fresh water. They are often found in slow-moving rivers, marshes, and reservoirs. You can also spot them in irrigation systems and rice paddies. These crawfish grow quite fast. They can weigh over 50 grams (1.8 oz) and grow to be 5.5–12 centimetres (2.2–4.7 in) long.
Crawfish Farming and Food in Louisiana
Most of the crawfish caught in the United States come from Louisiana. In 1990, Louisiana produced 90% of the world's crawfish! They also ate 70% of it right there in the state. However, by 2003, farms in Asia started producing more crawfish. Even so, Louisiana crawfish are still very popular locally. In 2018, 93% of crawfish farms in the U.S. were in Louisiana.
Louisiana crawfish are usually cooked in a big pot. They are boiled with lots of seasoning like salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic. People often add other tasty things to the pot. These include potatoes, corn on the cob, onions, and sausage. There are many different ways to season a crawfish boil, and everyone has their favorite recipe!
Maryland's Blue Crab: A Chesapeake Bay Icon
The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, became the state crustacean of Maryland in 1989. These crabs live in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. You can also find them along the Pacific coast of Central America and in the Gulf of Mexico.
What Makes Blue Crabs Special?
Blue crabs can grow quite large. Their carapace (the top shell) can be up to 230 mm (9.1 in) wide. You can tell a blue crab apart from a similar crab species by looking at its shell. Blue crabs have four small bumps, or "frontal teeth," on the front of their carapace. Another similar crab, Callinectes ornatus, has six of these bumps.
Blue Crabs and the Economy
The Chesapeake Bay, which is in Maryland and Virginia, is famous for its blue crabs. These crabs are very important to the local economy. In 1993, the total value of blue crabs caught was about US$100 million.
Over the years, the number of blue crabs has gone down. The amount caught has also decreased. For example, in the Chesapeake Bay, the population dropped from 900 million crabs to about 300 million. This also meant less money for the people who catch them.
Oregon's Dungeness Crab: A Pacific Northwest Favorite
The Dungeness crab, Metacarcinus magister, is a type of crab found along the west coast of North America. These crabs like to live in beds of eelgrass and on the ocean floor. Their common name comes from the port of Dungeness, Washington.
How Did It Become Oregon's Crustacean?
In 2009, some schoolchildren from Sunset Primary School in West Linn, Oregon, worked hard to make the Dungeness crab the state crustacean. They showed how important this crab is to Oregon's economy. Because of their efforts, the Oregon State Legislature officially named the Dungeness crab as the state crustacean.
Dungeness Crabs as Food
The carapace of adult Dungeness crabs can reach 25 cm (9.8 in) wide in some areas. However, they are usually under 20 cm (7.9 in). These crabs are a very popular delicacy (a special food). They are the most important crab for fishing businesses in the Pacific Northwest and other western states. Every October, the annual Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival is held in Port Angeles, Washington.
