What Is the Life Cycle of the Dungeness Crab?

Dungeness crabs are crustaceans, meaning that they have a hard exoskeleton in place of an internal skeletal support system. The average lifespan of a Dungeness crab is approximately 8 years.

  1. Reproduction

    • Life begins with sexual reproduction. A male Dungeness crab will clasp a female to him and wait for her to shed her shell, or molt. At this time, he will deposit his sperm and then look for another mate.

    Eggs

    • The fertilized eggs will remain attached to the underside of the female until they are ready to hatch. This takes several months to accomplish.

    First Stage Larvae

    • Based on temperature, the new hatchlings will remain in the first larval stage for 2 to 3 months, eating, growing and molting.

    Second Stage Larvae

    • The first year larvae move into the second stage larvae and begin to resemble the adult form, though they are not much larger than a dime. Larvae will remain in this stage for up to one year. They will continue to eat and grow during this period.

    Juvenile and Adult Stages

    • The second stage larvae become juvenile crabs at the end of the year. They will remain in this stage for up to two years before becoming sexually mature. The sexually mature adult will live for approximately another 6 years before dying.