Named after the dense mats of hair on their front claws, Chinese mitten crabs are intimidating creatures. Other aquatic species can swim out, meaning there is very little bycatch. Like most invasive species, they have no natural enemies, are opportunistic feeders and are very resilient. Schoelynck says that scientists in Europe have reported crabs that are a hybrid of both the Chinese and Japanese species of mitten crabs. However, the crabs collected in one of the Belgium traps go to a local zoo to be used as animal feed, he says.

Source: CNN January 30, 2024 18:00 UTC