Blue Crab Glossary -- A-D



Apron -- The crab abdomen which is folded under the body.

Bare Potting -- An unbaited pot is placed in a barren area where the crab goes for a place to hide.

Buck and Rider -- A pair of mating crabs; doubler.

Buckram Crab -- A crab past the paper shell stage but not in the true hard shell condition; approximately 12-24 hours after the shed.

Buffalo Crab -- Soft crab with the claws missing. Doorknob.

Buster -- Molting crab beginning to emerge from its shell.

Carapace -- The top part of the shell that is removed to clean the crab.

Channeler or Chandler -- Large male that remains in the deeper channels of the bay or river.

Dead Man's Fingers -- The gills, located under the carapace or top shell.

Doorknob -- Soft crab with the claws missing. Buffalo crab.

Doubler -- Male carrying female crab. Buck and Rider. *Information courtesy of the University of Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service.



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