Graceful Decorator Crab

Oregonia gracilis, commonly known as the graceful decorator crab, is a species of crab belonging to the family Oregoniidae. Like other decorator crabs it habitually attaches other organisms to its back. The sessile organisms are attached to hooked setae that act as a sort of velcro attachment. This decoration provides visual and chemical camouflage thus reducing predation risk. Pacific halibut are a major predator of O. gracilis. Other predators include octopus and sea otters. The main food source of O. gracilis is floating kelp and algae that they capture utilizing a waiting strategy in order to maintain cryptosis.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Graceful Decorator Crab being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Loxorhynchus crispatus
• Ericerodes hemphillii
• Hyas coarctatus
• Pisoides edwardsii
• Scyra acutifrons
• Pyromaia tuberculata

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Malacostraca

Order

Decapoda

Family

Oregoniidae

Genus

Oregonia

Species

Oregonia gracilis

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