Let’s be honest: Crabs often get a bad reputation among sea creatures — possibly one of the worst. Even Sebastian, the beloved crab from The Little Mermaid, has a rather crabby demeanor. While it’s charming for a fiery red Disney character, it’s not so delightful when encountering a crab during your dream beach vacation. Crabs in cartoons and movies seem to be on a constant quest to pinch someone, and the only positive remark people usually make about them is how delicious they are! However, the truth is that crabs are fascinating creatures and not out to get you — unless, of course, you invade their territory. Our message? Crabs are allies, not enemies. If you’re searching for a fun activity to help your crab-wary child understand these creatures better, our collection of crab coloring pages is just what you need.
There’s much to learn about crabs, but coloring provides even more educational benefits. Did you know that introducing your child to coloring at an early age can better prepare them for school? While coloring is enjoyable, it also plays a vital role in a child’s development. Consider all the skills involved, such as sitting still until a task is done, maintaining focus, developing attention span, gripping a crayon, and learning to stay within the lines. Coloring pages foster self-regulation in children!
So, what better way to enhance those life skills than with free printable crab coloring pages? We’ve included some cool crab facts below to fill your child’s mind with knowledge. After they finish these pages, they can scuttle over to our other ocean-themed printables, including dolphin coloring pages, octopus coloring pages, shark coloring pages, and whale coloring pages.
Free Printable Crab Coloring Pages
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Crab No. 1
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Did you know crabs belong to the decapod category of the crustacean family? While it’s common to refer to them as crustaceans, there’s more to it than that. “Decapod” means “ten feet,” which surprises many since they often only count eight feet and overlook the pincers. But those pincers double as hands for working and as feet for mobility! There are over 4,500 species of crabs, most of which live in salty, fresh, or brackish water. -
Crab No. 2
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Thanks to The Little Mermaid, many believe crabs only thrive in warm ocean waters. Not true! Crabs can be found nearly everywhere: on land, in freshwater, and in every ocean. Fun fact: pea crabs are the tiniest crabs in the world, about the size of… well… a pea! -
Crab No. 3
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Look at that! Crabs “talk” to each other by waving or clicking their pincers. Did you know that the average lifespan of these crustaceans is around three to four years? -
Crab No. 4
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Don’t underestimate these small creatures; they’ve been around for quite some time. Crabs date back to the Lower Jurassic period. How do we know this? Fossils! -
Crab No. 5
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We’ve learned that crabs use their pincers for work, walking, and waving. But do they use them to harm? Yes, sometimes, especially when they feel their burrow is threatened or when a male is trying to impress a lady crab. Also, crabs have an exoskeleton, like wearing your skeleton on the outside, which they use to crush or pick up food. -
Crab No. 6
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If your child owns a hermit crab, they should know that these creatures aren’t technically crabs. Neither are horseshoe crabs! They aren’t “true crabs” with a uniformly hard exoskeleton; hermit crabs are closer to certain lobsters, while horseshoe crabs relate more to arachnids like spiders and scorpions. -
Crab No. 7
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Can your little one do the crab walk? It’s amusing to watch these crustaceans zigzag about, and even funnier to see kids pretend to be crabs. If they’re curious about why crabs move sideways, explain that they can move forward but prefer their unique shuffle for speed. -
Crab No. 8
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Even if a crab gives you a painful pinch (ouch!), they won’t eat you. Crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of foods, including plants and meat. Their diet mainly consists of algae, fungi, mollusks, worms, and other smaller crustaceans. -
Crab No. 9
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The largest crabs in the world are the Japanese spider crabs, with legs reaching up to 13 feet long. This is creepy (can you say nightmare fuel?!), but kids often find it fascinating. And when crabs gather, they form a “cast.” -
Crab No. 10
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You know about the biggest crab species, but do you know the smallest? They’re called “pea crabs,” and yes, they’re about the size of a pea. Adorable! -
Crab No. 11
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Check out this colorful crustacean. Early research claimed crabs couldn’t feel pain, but that’s incorrect. Crustaceans may have tough shells, but they experience pain and remember it. Typically, crabs stroll, but they dash sideways when fleeing from danger.
Click here to print all the crab coloring pages at once!
This article was originally published on April 5, 2021. For more engaging content, explore our other blog post here.
If you’re interested in home insemination, check out this resource for a comprehensive guide. Additionally, the CDC offers great information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
In this article, we explore a collection of fun crab coloring pages designed to entertain and educate children. Alongside these pages, we’ve shared fascinating crab facts to help demystify these often-misunderstood sea creatures. Engaging in coloring not only provides enjoyment but also aids in children’s development by enhancing focus, coordination, and self-regulation.
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