Cancer oregonensis (Pygmy rock crab) 2005 Mary Jo Adams small
crab has a carapace width of less than 2 inches. The rounded
carapace is widest at the 7 th or 8 th lateral tooth and unlike
other cancer crabs, the carapace lacks angular corners. The
carapace is usually red-brown but color varies; the tips of the
claws look like they were dipped in black ink. Its legs are
quite hairy. Look for this crab low in the intertidal under
rocks, hiding in crevices, or tucked away in the otherwise empty
shell of a giant barnacle ( Balanus nubilus ). It is found
subtidally to a depth of 1400 feet. pygmy rock crab accesses the
small barnacles that it preys on by crushing their shells with
powerful claws. Other common names for this crab are hairy
cancer crab and Oregon cancer crab most likely to be confused
with this species is Lophopanopeus bellus bellus (the black
clawed crab) as both are small and have black tipped claws. To
distinguish between the two, look for the 3 lateral teeth along
the edge of the carapace of the b