This swift moving and distinctive crab normally disapears quicky before you can even see it. This crab is often disticively purple and whilst colour variations do occur the pruple colour is more common.

The carapace features two notches behind the eye and eight or more ridges on the top sides, the legs are some what flattened with a spines near the joint. The claws commonly purple above and whit below.

During the day they are well hidden in the crevices coming out at night scurrying over rocks feeding one of the largest of the Australian shore crabs they move quickly and hold on tight in their hidding places making them hard to catch.

At a glance

Habitat Can be found on rocky shores at mid to high levels levels in rock crevices and cracks or under rocks.
Size Can grow to around 50mm across the carapace
Origin Native
Distribution Australian coasts including around Tasmania, also found in New Zealand
Descriptions
Distribution
Australian coasts including around Tasmania, also found in New Zealand
Habitat
Can be found on rocky shores at mid to high levels levels in rock crevices and cracks or under rocks.
Size
Can grow to around 50mm across the carapace
Common Name Swift-footed Shore Crab
Aliases Variegated Shore Crab, Purple Shore Crab, purple rock crab,
Origin Native
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Distribution and map

Distribution provided by The Atlas of Living Australia

Classification

Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumCrustacea
SuperclassMulticrustacea
ClassMalacostraca
SubclassEumalacostraca
SuperorderEucarida
OrderDecapoda
SuborderPleocyemata
InfraorderBrachyura
SectionEubrachyura
SuperfamilyGrapsoidea
FamilyGrapsidae
SubfamilyGrapsinae
GenusLeptograpsus
SpeciesLeptograpsus variegatus
Synonyms

Synonyms

There are no known synonyms for this species
References and dates
Original No original text available
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Added Thu 2 Jul 2020 @ 00:00 AM
Updated Tue 12 Oct 2021 @ 23:00 PM
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Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into trying to identify and ensure accurate identifications are made, and that the listed Descriptions, Sizes, Habitats and Distribution information is as accurate and valid as possible. Unfortunately, information in this arena is ever changing and as such no guarantee can be offered that it is correct or currently valid — the information is provided as a guide, and it is always suggested that you do a little research to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information. View the references or bibliography. Feedback and comments on the information provided are always welcome.