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| Scientific Name | Metacarcinus magister |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Family | Arthropod |
| Habitat | PNW shores |
| Food | Clams, Crustaceans, Small Fish |
The Dungeness crab, Metacarcinus magister (formerly Cancer magister), is a species of crab that inhabits West Coast eelgrass beds and water bottoms from Alaska's Aleutian Islands to Santa Cruz, California. They are named after Dungeness, Washington.
They measure as much as 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in some areas off the coast of Washington, but typically are under 20 centimetres (7.9 in). They are a popular delicacy, and are the most commercially important crab in the Pacific Northwest, western Canada, as well as the western states generally.
Cancer magister prefers to eat clams, other crustaceans and small fish, but is also an effective scavenger. Dungeness crabs can also bury themselves completely in the sand if threatened.
Seafood Watch has given it a Sustainable seafood rating of 'Best Choice'.