Let’s be honest: when it comes to marine life, crabs often get a bad reputation—possibly one of the worst. Even the beloved crab, Sebastian from The Little Mermaid, isn’t exactly the friendliest character. While this fiery red Disney crustacean is charming in a cartoon, encountering a crab in real life—especially on your dream beach getaway—might not be as delightful. Whenever crabs appear on screen, they seem eager to pinch someone! Often, the only praise they receive revolves around their delicious taste. However, crabs are actually fascinating creatures, and they’re not out to get you—unless you happen to invade their space. Our message? Crabs are allies, not adversaries. If you’re searching for a fun activity to help your crab-wary kiddo gain some understanding, our collection of crab coloring pages is just what you need.
While there’s a wealth of information to discover about crabs, coloring offers its own set of educational benefits. Did you know that introducing your child to coloring early on can prepare them for school? Coloring is not only enjoyable but also advantageous for child development. Consider all the skills involved in coloring: sitting still until the task is done, maintaining focus, developing attention spans, holding a crayon properly, and learning to color within the lines. A lot of self-regulation occurs when children engage with coloring pages!
So, why not enhance these essential skills with our free printable crab coloring pages? We’ve included some intriguing crab facts below to fuel your child’s curiosity. After they finish their coloring, they can explore our other ocean-themed printables, such as dolphin, octopus, shark, and whale coloring pages.
Free Printable Crab Coloring Pages
Crab No. 1
Did you know crabs belong to the decapod family of crustaceans? While it’s fine to call them crustaceans, there’s more to the story. “Decapod” means “ten feet,” which surprises many since they only count eight legs and forget the pincers. However, crab pincers function like hands for work and also serve as feet for movement. So yes, they count! There are over 4,500 crab species, most of which thrive in salty, fresh, or brackish waters.
Crab No. 2
Thanks to The Little Mermaid, many believe that crabs only inhabit warm ocean waters. Not true! Crabs are found almost everywhere: on land, in freshwater, and across all oceans. Did you know that pea crabs are the smallest crabs in the world, measuring about the size of…you guessed it—a pea?
Crab No. 3
Look at them go! Crabs communicate by waving or clicking their pincers. Plus, the average lifespan of these fascinating creatures is around three to four years.
Crab No. 4
Don’t underestimate these tiny critters; they’ve been around for a long time. Crabs date back to the Lower Jurassic period, and we know this thanks to fossils!
Crab No. 5
We know crabs use their pincers for work and movement, but they can also pinch when threatened, especially if their sand burrow is at risk or when a male crab is trying to impress a female. Additionally, crabs have an exoskeleton, which is like having their skeleton on the outside. They use their claws to crush and grab food.
Crab No. 6
If your child owns a hermit crab, they might be surprised to learn that these critters aren’t true crabs. Neither are horseshoe crabs! Hermit crabs are more closely related to certain lobsters, while horseshoe crabs share a lineage with arachnids like spiders and scorpions.
Crab No. 7
Can your little one do the crab walk? Watching these crustaceans zigzag is entertaining, and it’s even funnier to see kids mimic them. If they wonder why crabs walk sideways, tell them they can move forward too—just at a slower pace. This distinctive sideways shuffle is faster because crabs flex the second joint of each leg, which only bends sideways.
Crab No. 8
Even if a crab gives you a painful pinch (ouch!), they don’t eat people. Crabs are omnivores, feasting on a variety of foods, including algae, fungi, mollusks, worms, and other smaller crustaceans.
Crab No. 9
Japan is home to the largest crab species: the Japanese spider crab, whose legs can stretch up to 13 feet. This might sound creepy, but kids often think it’s cool! When gathered together, crabs are referred to as casts.
Crab No. 10
While you now know about the largest crab species, have you heard of the smallest? They’re called “pea crabs,” and yes, they’re roughly the size of a pea. Adorable!
Crab No. 11
Check out this vibrant crustacean! Contrary to early research, crabs do feel pain and remember it. Though they typically stroll, they quickly scurry sideways when escaping 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, check out this blog post.
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In summary, if you’re looking for a way to entertain your child while also helping them learn, our crab coloring pages provide a fun and educational experience. Crabs may have a reputation for being pinchers, but with these activities, your child can discover just how fascinating they truly are.