Classification: Blue Crab is classified in the Phylum Arthropoda (animals joined with legs), the Class Crustacea (having crust or shell), Order Decapoda (ten legs), and Family Portunidae (swimming crab). Scientific: Callinectes (beautiful swimmer) Sapidus (savory).
Distributions and Habitats: Blue Crab is found from Cape Cod to Florida, they may range from Nova Scotia to northern Argentina. They are found in abundance in the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Florida, the Nile River, Delta of Egypt, and Israel. Blue Crab is the third most important crustacean found commercially in the U.S., following shrimp and lobsters. Chesapeake Bay area and Florida coasts bring the largest abundance. Florida enjoys the luxury of year round warm weather, therefore, a year round supply of crabs.
Blue Crabs are generally available at Riggins at all times unless we are experiencing very cold weather or storms. At this time they bury in the mud to keep warm, making them extremely difficult to catch. Our commercial crabbers will strive to keep us in crabs at all times. Just as we have no control of the size or gender of people, they cannot control these things in crabs; therefore, we will be serving to you what is available to us. We can only assure you our crabs are the largest crabs available at the present time. When "jumbos" are available we will be separating them and selling them at a special price to you. You may purchase our delicious Maryland crab cakes, however, at any time, fresh, shipped to your door from our online store.
Cooking: Our Steamed Crabs are always alive just before cooking. They are quick steamed with Old Bay Seasoning. Our Garlic Crabs have been cleaned and sautéed in a special fresh garlic sauce to bring you a special treat in crabs. Also try our shrimp cooked in Old Bay or Garlic Sauce.
Description: Blue Crabs have 10 legs including 2 claw bearing appendages used for feeding and defense. It belongs to the swimming crab family (Portunidae), which is characterized by having the last pair of legs flattened into paddles for swimming. They are easily recognized by their oval shell, which varies from dark blue to blue-green. The females have scarlet tips on the end of their claws. When cooked they turn a brilliant red-orange. Their usual direction of movement is sideways. Their sideways swimming is unique amongcrabs.
