Snow Crab

The Snow Crab, also known as the Opie, is native to the northern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with high populations off the Alaskan coast. These crabs are an essential part of the commercial fishing industry, supplying countless seafood restaurants. Although these crustaceans have enjoyed healthy levels for fishing, ocean and climate change are threats to these creatures that may impact the price in the event of a shortage.

5 Snow Crab Facts

• Named for the color of its meat after it has been cooked
• Have four pairs of legs and one pair of claws
• Spend most of their lives on seafloors
• Live in groups known as clusters
• Eat mostly brittle creatures that they crush with their claws

Classification and Scientific Name

The Snow Crab’s scientific name is Chionoecetes opilio. Sometimes people refer to these crabs as opies or opilio crabs. These crabs are part of the Decapoda order, which includes 15,000 distinct species. Most of the species in this order are considered scavengers. Their family is Oregoniidae, encompassing several similar crab species.

Appearance

Snow Crabs have carapaces or brown or red shells, with yellow or white shading on the underside. This shading helps provide cover in the deep waters where these crabs live. The four pairs of legs help these crustaceans move effortlessly through the Alaskan and the North Atlantic ocean bottoms.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

In 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated the commercial landings of Snow Crab in Alaska to number approximately 56 million pounds. A dramatic shortage of snow crabs was reported in the Bering Sea (Pacific) between 2018 and 2021, leading to the closure of the Alaska snow crab fishery in 2022 and 2023. As of 2025, NOAA does not consider the species overfished, but the stock is still rebuilding. Migration patterns for these crabs are not as well-known as those of other species. The most significant population shifts have been observed in the Bering Sea, with numbers growing consistently.

Ocean currents help play a role in their distribution. These crabs live at varying depths from 66 to 265 feet. They can be found as far north as Greenland and as far south as the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the Atlantic Ocean. The habitat ranges from Siberia and Alaska to as far south as Korea, in the Pacific, with clusters having been found in all these locations.

Predators and Prey

Snow Crabs are often prey for other species and have been severely impacted by climate change, particularly marine heatwaves. According to NOAA, they are not currently subject to overfishing, but the population is still rebuilding. For example, their meat is in high demand among people who enjoy seafood. With this demand comes the potential for overfishing, with some numbers of smaller Snow Crabs having dwindled. Warming ocean temperatures threaten snow crabs, as recent marine heatwaves have been linked to mass die-offs and population collapse, primarily due to ecosystem changes and food scarcity rather than a strict temperature threshold.

What eats snow crabs?

Humans are one of their most significant predators. Halibut also regularly eat these crustaceans, and larger Snow Crabs have been known to eat juveniles because their size makes them easy prey. Other predators include seals and squid, as well as the Alaskan King Crab.

Although Snow crabs have predators, they have shells that make it difficult for some predators to kill them. Their claws also serve as effective deterrents against predation.

What do snow crabs eat?

These crabs eat a variety of species that include smaller crabs, shrimp, and plankton. They are also capable of scavenging for food when prey is minimal.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Snow Crabs may live as long as 20 years. Female crabs may carry up to 100,000 eggs, provided there are adequate food supplies. The larvae hatch in the spring and go through several growth periods known as molting. These crabs molt for the last time at four years or later, which marks sexual maturity. Females usually reach this stage sooner than males.

Snow Crab in Fishing and Cooking

Snow Crab is a commercial seafood, attractive to many commercial fishing companies because of the price they get. Live traps that reach the seafloor level are the primary method of catching this crab. The Alaska (Bering Sea) snow crab season typically runs from October to May, while Atlantic Canadian seasons often start in April. In 2020, about 56 million pounds of snow crab were harvested in Alaska.

This type of crab has a firm texture, with a flavor described as salty and sweet. Many serve the meat shredded, similar to how corned beef is served.

Snow Crab is a favorite species worldwide, with the United States and Japan among the largest consumers. Denmark is a major re-export hub, and South Korea is also a significant market. It has 90 calories and 18.5 grams of protein per ounce, making it a healthy food choice for use in a variety of recipes.