EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Jimmy crabs are male blue crabs. Male crabs are identified by the blue color on the tip of their claws and the apron on the bottom of their shell which is shaped like the Washington Monument. There are two kinds of Jimmy crabs: #1 and #2. Number one Jimmy crabs have plenty of meat and have filled out their shells.

Detailed explanation-2: -The blue crab’s scientific name comes from the Greek words for “beautiful” and “swimmer.” Male blue crabs are known as “jimmies, ” while mature females are called “sooks.” Blue crabs are one of the most important commercial and recreational catches in the Chesapeake Bay.

Detailed explanation-3: -Blue crab males are called ‘Jimmies’ and females are called “Sook, Sally, or Sponge Crab’ depending on their stage of sexual maturity. How can you tell a male and a female apart? Males have blue claws with a ‘T’ shape on their belly, also called apron, while females have orange colored tips on their claws.

Detailed explanation-4: -Blue crabs live up and down the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico and are caught by both commercial and recreational fishermen. Its scientific name-Callinectes sapidus-translated from Latin means ‘beautiful savory swimmer.

Detailed explanation-5: -The blue crab is so named because of its sapphire-tinted claws. Its shell, or carapace, is actually a mottled brownish color, and mature females have red highlights on the tips of their pincers.