What do British crabs eat?

British crabs are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of things depending on what's available. Here's a breakdown of their diet:

Primary food sources:

* Seaweed and algae: This forms a large part of their diet, especially for smaller crabs.

* Dead animals: They scavenge on carcasses of fish, worms, and other marine creatures.

* Worms: They actively hunt and dig for worms in the seabed.

* Mollusks: They crack open shells of mussels, clams, and oysters using their strong claws.

* Small crustaceans: They eat barnacles, shrimps, and other small crabs.

Other items they might eat:

* Fish: They may occasionally catch small fish.

* Plankton: They filter plankton from the water, especially when they are younger.

* Debris: They eat anything they can find, including bits of seaweed, shells, and other organic matter.

Specific examples of crab species and their diets:

* Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus): This is a common edible crab, their diet is mainly shellfish, worms, and small fish.

* Common Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas): This is a more generalist, feeding on a wide range of food including worms, shellfish, seaweed, and dead animals.

* Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber): This crab is an active predator, eating mainly fish and small crustaceans.

Ultimately, the exact diet of a British crab depends on its species, age, location, and the availability of food.