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MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WITN) – An invasive land crab species has been sighted and state environment officials are asking the public to report any more.
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries is asking people to alert them to any sightings of the invasive blue land crab, a large fiddler crab species.
These crabs are native to the south Atlantic, stretching from southern Florida to Brazil, but sightings in North and South Carolina are on an uptick. State officials say 23 have been spotted, with two as close as Emerald Isle.
Officials are asking that if you see one to please snap a picture and submit it to this link.
Males are generally blue-gray, females white or gray, and juveniles are orange-brown and purple. They have a large claw, are quick, and dig burrows they retreat to.
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