Cancer Pegurus: The Irish Tourteaux Crab

A nocturnal predator of darkness, these crabs are most inclined to feast upon blue mussels indigenous to cold Irish waters. Some of the more aggressive tortas have been known to devour small crabs. Cannibals! Like I always say, never feel bad about eating a bully.

Weighing approximately 1# each, the tourteaux crabs are big fat shatzzzz. Also, they don't give a hoot, they will pinch you whenever they want because they do not wear rubber-bands on their claws.

"Berried" woman crabs are illegal to harvest because they are carrying eggs full of larvae. Yea, I just said Larvae. Whachu know 'bout larvae?
The thorax of the tourteaux crab varies in width between males and females, which is the primary way that you can distinguish their sex. Just remember: wide hips = fem-crab or "hen", narrow hips = man-crab aka "cock." Cocks are known for their sweeter whiter meat and hens are known for a darker and more flavorful taste. Either one is good so don't discriminate. Bust out the crab mallets and boil them up.

Enjoy this online video of crabs roaming their natural environment, unless of course you actually have sh*t to do today, in which case watching this video would be about as helpful to you as watching paint dry ;)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELoVwZfmDuA