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Reproduction
Cancer irroratus
reproduction occurs in the autumn. Sexual
maturity in females is attained once they reach
the carapace width
size of 2.5 inches.
Males have a
slightly larger size of
carapace width 2.75
inches at sexual maturity.
Before mating begins
both male and female rock crabs molt their
shell.
This event for males
happens during the winter months to
ensure that their shells are completely firm
before the fall.
Females molt their shells
during the fall so that they remain soft during
mating.
It takes rock crab shells
between 2-3 months to fully harden.
After fertilization
females lay their eggs and store them under
their stomach for almost a year.
Depending upon the
female's size the number of eggs produced can
range from 125,000 to
500,000.
After a period of time
the eggs hatch and between the months of June to
September.
The larva stay in the
water column. By the time autumn returns the
larva that were hatched metamorphose into
extremely small crabs called megalops.
<click
here to see image>
For the first part of
their life these young crabs are extremely
vulnerable to predators and water turbulence.
To increase their chance
for survival they remain in shallow water and at
the bottom of the ocean floor for protection.
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Rock
crabs live in the 
