Ar-1510 STONE CRAB, Menippe mercenaria

The largest of the xanthid (mud) crabs. Itstwo huge grinding claws are used to crush oysters, one claw for crushing and the other claw for delicately picking out the meat. Stone crab claws are an epicurean dish; and fishermen break off the huge claws and throw the crab back to regenerate new ones. It is perhaps the only living creature that you can eat partially while the rest of the animal is running around trying to survive. Lives on rocky bottoms, constructing burrows through limestone. Size: 10-12 cm.