Distribution and habitat. REPORT A SIGHTING. Jeff Adams. We need you to answer this question! In North America and South Africa, it bears the name green crab or European green crab. Status in Squamish: Status in Whistler: Status in Pemberton: Vectors of spread: ID Characteristics. European Green Crab Carcinus maenas. When the green crab was first discovered in Washington State in 1998, the state provided funds to immediately begin monitoring and control efforts in both the Puget Sound region and along Washington's coast. Green Crab Characteristics. May 20, 2015: Green Crab Task Force Report Available (PDF file, 138 pages, 3.8 MB) Background. Legs and Claws: This crab has relatively long legs compared to the main body, and narrow claws. It is known by different names around the world. Home Invasives Invasive Animals European Green Crab. Green Crabs in Maine News. In North America and South Africa, it bears the name Green crab or European green crab. Size: Adults can reach up to 10 cm. In Australia and New Zealand, it is referred to as either the European green crab or European shore crab. In the British Isles, it is generally referred to as the shore crab, or green shore crab. Mature female Green crabs are orange-red underneath. Scientists suggest that green crabs (Carcinus maenas), originally from Europe, reached U.S. shores in the mid-1800s after riding across the Atlantic in the ballast water on ships....read more about the crab's background in Maine here Green crabs were then sighted in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, Washington and on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in 1998 and 1999. It was first discovered in 1995 when residents of Greenwich saw it coming out of the River Thames. Carcinus maenas is a common littoral crab. The green crab is entirely distinct from other native crabs with its five marginal teeth. European Green Crabs have a broad triangular shaped shell averaging 5 to 6 cm in width but have been known to reach 9 cm. However, there has been debate over whether or not to continue funding for these programs. An example of this is The European Green Crab which is an invasive species that was first discovered in the shores of Washington in 1998. Were did the European green crab first originate? Mode(s) of Introduction: There is no general consensus on the means by which the species was introduced, although there … The last pair of legs is slightly flattened, as this species is in the same family as swimming crabs – although the European green crab is not a strong swimmer. Green crabs are dark green in colour with yellow or brown blotches. Their shell, or carapace, is about 3 inches (8 centimetres) wide and … European Green Crab. They do not have flattened swimming paddles on their rear legs. The European Green Crab is native to the Atlantic Coast of Europe and northern Africa. The Green crab comes from Europe and an invasive species there is the Chinese Mitten Crab. Behaviour: Aggressive and territorial.