Aiken residents are encouraged to report sightings of blue land crabs, a non-native species that has seen an uptick in reports across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia in recent years. The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries issued a reminder on Friday, August 28, 2026, for the public to help biologists track the spread of Cardisoma guanhumi.
These crabs, which can resemble large fiddler crabs, are native to the southern Atlantic coasts from Brazil to South Florida. The first confirmed sighting in South Carolina occurred in 2008. North Carolina recorded its first confirmed blue land crab in summer 2023, and since then, there have been 23 confirmed sightings in that state, along with 34 unconfirmed reports. Two of the confirmed cases this year were in Emerald Isle, North Carolina.
Researchers are still working to understand the full extent of the blue land crab’s range in the Carolinas and its potential environmental impact. It is also unclear whether their presence is due to natural expansion or human activity. Reporting sightings is crucial for biologists to gather more data on their distribution.
Adult male blue land crabs typically display a blue-gray color, while females can be white or ash-gray. Juveniles exhibit a range of colors from orangish to dark brown or purple. These crabs are known for their longevity and slow growth, reaching maturity at four years old and living up to 11 years. They are challenging to catch due to their speed and ability to retreat into deep burrows, as well as their large, defensive claw. If an Aikenite encounters one, biologists recommend taking a photo and reporting the date and location.
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