IFAS Extension
Release Date: 10/27/2025
Agriculture
Abstract
The giant land crab is the largest of Florida's semi-terrestrial crabs. This animal can measure up to 6 in (15 cm) across its carapace (Figure 1). In its juvenile form, the crab is a dark brown, purple, or orange in color. As an adult, it is a bluish-gray color. Females sometimes appear light gray or white. One claw is larger than the other and the walking legs are sparsely hairy.
About this Publication
This document is WEC 30, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1991. Revised October 2003, July 2007, and February 2025. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.
How to Cite
Hostetler, M., Mazzoti, F., & Taylor, A. K. (2019). Blue Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi). EDIS, 2019(6). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw013-1991
Authors
Mark Hostetler
Specialist
University of Florida
professor and Extension specialist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Gainesville, FL
Frank Mazzotti
Specialist
University of Florida
professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Amy K. Taylor
former undergraduate assistant, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation