Chinese mitten crab – Eriocheir sinensis

The Chinese mitten crab is a crustacean of the Brachyura, crab family. Its ten legs protrude from under a rounded carapace, which is 5-8 cm, or a maximum of 12 cm, wide. The animal can be 15 cm wide including its legs. The tufts of hair on the white-tipped claws are the most distinguishing feature of the species and provide it with its name. Since young individuals do not have hair, the details of the carapace and legs must be studied in order to identify them. No young individuals have been found in Finland.