The post How to Tell a King Crab from a Snow Crab in Seconds appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Opilio crabs and king crabs are often confused due to their similar habitats or use in cuisine, but there are many easy ways to tell them apart. They are both used in various culinary dishes, which means they are often sold together at markets. Whether you’re cooking with these crabs or are just curious, read below to learn how to tell them apart.
Snow crabs get their name from their snowy white meat.
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About the Opilio Crab
The opilio crab, also known as the snow crab, is found in the waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. Their scientific name is Chionoecetes opilio. Their common name, snow crab, comes from their snow-white meat. They inhabit the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, as well as waters off the coasts of Japan, Canada, and Greenland, making them a staple in many seafood diets. Snow crabs live at depths ranging from around 65 feet to 3,900 feet. They are omnivorous scavengers, meaning they eat small invertebrates, clams, and other small organisms.
Opilio crabs are well-known for their long and slender legs. Their leg span can reach up to 35 inches in length, with their body width being around six inches. They typically weigh up to 3 pounds. These large crabs are a reddish-brown color with a white bottom. They are famous in the seafood industry and are often found in fish and seafood markets. Given their popularity in cooking, American and Canadian fisheries monitor snow crab populations and have implemented strict regulations to prevent overfishing. However, recent years have seen significant population declines, leading to fishery closures and cautious management to support recovery.
A king crab after being caught.
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About the King Crab
The king crab, scientifically known as Paralithodes camtschaticus, is a large crab similar to the snow crab, but unique in its own way. Similarly, king crabs are found at depths comparable to snow crabs, ranging from shallow coastal areas to deeper waters. They are native to similar parts of the ocean as snow crabs, specifically cold northern waters. They are most often fished in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, with some areas recently reopening after closures due to population declines. Some regions, such as Southeast Alaska, remain closed to king crab fishing. Similarly, king crabs are found at similar depths to snow crabs, and can be found between shallow coastal areas to deeper waters.
King crabs get their name from their size and appearance. A king crab’s carapace, or shell, can be up to 10 inches wide, with legs growing up to 5 feet long. Because of their large size, they can weigh around 22 pounds. King crabs have thick and spiny shells that are covered in sharp bumps, almost like the ridges of a crown. They are purplish-red and, unlike true crabs, have asymmetrical body plans. They are famous for their sweet and firm meat, making them popular in seafood cuisine.
How to Tell Them Apart
There are a few easy ways to tell these crabs apart by their appearance. While these crabs are similar in size, the shape of their bodies and legs differs. Opilio crabs have thin, evenly sized legs and are said to look more delicate. King crabs have larger, bulkier legs and bigger claws. Their shells are also very different. An opilio crab’s shell is smooth and more uniform in color, while king crabs have spiky, less uniform shells.
While these are great ways to tell the difference between the crabs in nature, how can you distinguish them in a restaurant? When served, king crabs’ thicker legs are easier to notice. Due to the length of their legs, king crab legs are often split in the middle. Opilio crabs have thinner legs, so they are often served in greater quantity. The texture of the meat is another way to tell the difference. Snow crab meat is easier to flake and shred, while king crab meat usually comes in whole chunks. Hopefully, you can now spot the difference between an opilio crab and a king crab!
The post How to Tell a King Crab from a Snow Crab in Seconds appeared first on A-Z Animals.
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