Mud crab

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Mud crabs are crabs that live in mud, usually in mangrove swamps and estuaries. They spend the day in mud burrows and come out at night to hunt for food. They have a broad shell and big claws, and their color can be brown or greenish. Mud crabs are found in coastal areas of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.

They are omnivores, eating fish, shellfish, worms, plants, and algae. Eggs hatch in the sea and the young go through larval stages before becoming adults.

People catch mud crabs for food with traps or nets, and they are popular in many cuisines. Mud crabs help the mudflat ecosystem by moving mud and recycling nutrients.

Threats include overfishing and the destruction of mangroves. Protecting mangroves helps mud crabs stay healthy.