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Purple Shore Crab

Purple Shore Crab line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Purple Shore Crab full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Purple Shore Crab was completed on 2.17.2011. While I think this particular crab species resides further north up the Pacific Coast than where I live in the Bay Area, I decided to draw this one, mainly due to the beautiful spots on the crab's formidable claws. The illustration is based on a photo by David Hogan

Information about the Purple Shore Crab:

The Purple Shore Crab is a common crustacean found in the inter-tidal and sub-tidal areas of the beaches along most of the west coast of North America, From Alaska down to the Baja Peninsula. These arthropods feed mostly on algae and sea lettuce, but it will also scavenge dead animals that have washed up on shore. The coloration varies widely, but generally they are a dark purple with green, yellow, red and orange markings. The distinctive spots on the claws distinguish this crab from the Lined Shore Crab.