With over 4,000 species of crabs, snow crabs and Dungeness crabs are among the edible species of crabs served at seafood restaurants. So, if you are a seafood lover who wants to understand the difference between snow crab vs Dungeness crab, this is a guide for you.
Snow carbs and Dungeness crabs are delicacies you will find on the menu at seafood restaurants. They taste delicious when prepared properly and contain nutrients.
Snow crabs are the larger species compared to Dungeness crabs. But most people prefer to eat Dungeness crabs than snow crabs.
We will be discussing the differences between snow crabs and Dungeness crabs and how they can be properly cooked for consumption.
What Are Snow Crabs?
Snow crabs are edible species of crabs that naturally inhabit the Northern Atlantic Ocean and the Northern Pacific Ocean. These crustaceans flourish in waters as far north as the Arctic Ocean- from Greenland to Newfoundland (Canada), and northern Norway.
The species of crabs also live across the Pacific Ocean- along the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, Norton Sound, and the Sea of Japan. Some species of snow carbs (Chionoecetes bairdi) live as far south as California.
Snow crab’s long legs are filled with tasty meat that contains various nutrients. These species of crab are high in protein and low in fat.
Also Read: Snow Crab vs King Crab: Difference and Comparison
What Are Dungeness Crabs?
Dungeness crabs are also species of crabs that naturally inhabit water bottoms in North America, specifically, the west coast. These species of crabs are also harvested and sold for the taste of their meat.
This species of crab is known to have a smooth, spineless carapace, with shorter legs. Dungeness crabs can grow up to 20 cm (7.9 inches) across the carapace.
Naturally, the carapace widths of mature Dungeness crabs can measure up to 10 inches (25.4 centimetres). This species of crabs are named after a fishing village in Dungeness, Washington and they remain one of the most commercially important crab sold in the Pacific Northwest and across the western states of the U.S.
Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: Difference between Snow Crab and Dungeness Crab
First, let’s look at the difference in appearance between snow crabs and Dungeness crabs.
Appearance
Matured male snow crabs are almost twice the size of females. Their shell’s maximum width can reach 16.5 centimetres, with a leg span of over 90 centimetres.
Matured male snow crabs can weigh up to 2.866 pounds (1.35 kg).
These crustaceans begin their lives with an orange or red colouration- but this colour will change to a green or olive-like colour over time.
On the other hand, Dungeness crabs have shorter legs, with a smooth body and a slightly purple hue.
Dungeness crabs grow to a size that is appropriate for a delicacy. Male Dungeness crabs have shells that can grow up to 9 inches. These species of crabs weigh up to two pounds but they are commercially harvested between one or half a pound.
In addition, the colouration of Dungeness crabs can vary based on their natural habitat and the season of the year. Most Dungeness crabs appear in a rusty or orange colour.
Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: Size
Snow crabs are a larger species of crabs compared to Dungeness crabs. They flourish in frigid waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific and can weigh up to 3 to 4 pounds on average.
However, snow crabs are only larger than Dungeness crabs because of their long legs. They have a smaller body compared to Dungeness crabs.
Now, you may be wondering why snow crabs weigh more than Dungeness crabs. The reason for this is because longer legs of snow crabs, which contain tasty and nutritious meat.
While male Dungeness crabs have shells that can grow up to 8 to 10 inches, the body of snow crabs can grow up to 6 to 8 inches.
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Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: Habitat
Naturally, snow crabs prefer to live in frigid waters, mainly in the North Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean.
Snow crabs thrive in waters as far north as the Arctic Ocean- from Greenland to Newfoundland (Canada), and northern Norway. They also live across the Pacific Ocean- along the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, Norton Sound, and the Sea of Japan.
Some species of snow carbs (Chionoecetes bairdi) prefer to live as far south as California.
Dungeness crabs prefer to live in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, mainly off the coast of Washington, California, and Oregon. They also live as far north as Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and as far south as Baja California in Mexico.
Snow crabs and Dungeness crabs also enjoy burrowing in sandy waters and mud. Dungeness crabs can also be at extreme depths, while most species of snow crabs prefer to dwell in rockier habitats.
Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: Eating Habit
The seabed is filled with various creatures both large and small. The smaller sea creatures are a food source for crabs. Crabs do feed on smaller creatures roaming the sea floor.
Snow crabs are natural scavengers that feed on dead organisms on the seafloor. They also pry on tiny mussels, shrimps, small worms, and other small invertebrates.
Dungeness crabs often prey on molluscs, other crustaceans, fish, and clams. This species of crab also scavenges on dead organisms on the ocean floor.
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Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: Cooking
Snow crabs and Dungeness crabs are edible species of crabs served at seafood restaurants. Most people prefer the taste of Dungeness crabs because it’s sweeter than the snow crab.
However, snow crabs contain more crab meat with mild flavour in their longer legs. So, if you want to enjoy the most flavour from snow crabs, go for the leg meat instead of the body meat.
If you prefer Dungeness crabs because of their tastier meat, you won’t enjoy much out of it because they have smaller legs.
Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: Cooking Time
Snow crabs and Dungeness crabs are delicacies served at seafood restaurants. These crustaceans are cooked for a specific amount of time and can prepared in several ways.
Let’s look at some tips for cooking snow crabs.
- To boil your snow crab legs, allow it to cook for about five minutes.
- If you prefer steaming your snow crab, allow it to cook for about five to seven minutes.
- To broil a snow crab, you need to place it five inches away from the broiler and bake for three to four minutes on each side.
- Grilling crustacean adds a good smoky flavour to the crab meat. What you have to do is brush your snow crab’s leg with butter or oil and then grill for about four to five minutes on each side.
Dungeness Crab
- Generally, the guideline to boil a pound of Dungeness crab is ten minutes. So, it requires boiling for twenty minutes if the crab weighs up to two pounds.
- Now, before you start cooking, you need to thaw the crab’s legs. You can thaw your crabs in the refrigerator throughout the night or you can put them in a bowl filled with cold water for like an hour.
- Steaming is one of the easiest methods to cook crabs. Just place the Dungeness crab’s legs in a steamer basket over boiling water, and then cover it for about eight to ten minutes. This will give you a perfectly cooked crab leg.
Also Read: Baking vs Roasting: Difference and Comparison
Snow Crab vs Dungeness Crab: More Differences
| Snow Crab | Dungeness Crab | |
| Appearance | Longer legs and smaller claws. At their younger stage, they appear red or orange. | Shorter legs with large claws. Have rusty or orange-coloured shells in an oval shape. Some even appear purple |
| Size | Three to four pounds and can grow up to six to eight inches nit including their legs. | Weigh up to two to three pounds and can grow up to eight to ten inches. |
| Habitat/Location | Northern frigid waters such as the North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean. | Three to four pounds and can grow up to six to eight inches not including their legs. |
| Life span | Fifteen to twenty years | Eight to thirteen years |
Conclusion
Snow crabs and Dungeness crabs grow to a size that is appropriate for a delicacy. These crustaceans prefer to dwell on the ocean floor but sometimes can be found burrowing in mud and sandy waters.
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References
- Wikipedia: Dungeness crab
- A-ZAnimals: Dungeness Crab vs Snow Crab: What’s the Difference?
- AmericanOceans: What’s the Difference Between Dungeness Crab and Snow Crab?
- MomsWhoThink: Dungeness Crab vs. Snow Crab: Taste and Cooking Differences
