FAQ
Do you have a question about the Chesapeake Bay? Explore our list of frequently asked questions to learn more about the Bay and its watershed, habitats and wildlife. You can browse the FAQ by category, or explore the answers to some of our most common questions below.
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Blue Crabs
What do blue crabs eat?
Blue crabs are opportunistic omnivores. They will eat nearly anything they can find, including bivalves, dead fish, plant and animal detritus, and even other crabs!
Where do blue crabs live?
In the Chesapeake Bay, blue crabs typically live in shallow waters near underwater grass beds. They use underwater grass beds to search for food and hide from predators, particularly during mating season. In winter, blue crabs burrow into the sediment of the deeper portions of the Bay.
What threats do blue crabs face?
Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are threatened by pollution, habitat loss, harvest pressures and predators such as the invasive blue catfish.
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