Non-Native Blue Land Crabs Found In S.C.

The creatures are comparable in size to South Carolina Blue Land Crabs, but tend to range widely in coloration, from orange to gray to bright purple.

SCDNR is requesting for the public’s help in locating non-native Blue Land Crabs.

The crabs are native to the coast from Brazil to South Florida, but they have appeared to be showing up in backyards, fields, and urban streets with heavy traffic flow in South Carolina.

The creatures are comparable in size to South Carolina Blue Land Crabs, but tend to range widely in coloration, from orange to gray to bright purple.

DNR shared a Facebook post that explained the wet summer weather may be the forcing the Blue Land Crabs out of their burrows along the coast.

The agency is working to learn more about where the animals are located in the state and it is unclear what impact they could have yet.

To report a sighting and assist in gathering information, visit Survey123.