Furry-clawed invasive Chinese mitten crabs are spreading across the UK

Individuals within the UK have been requested to report sightings of Chinese language mitten crabs, an invasive species of concern whose inhabitants is regarded as rising.

Chinese language mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) are crustaceans native to East Asia named for his or her furry, brown, mitten-like claws. Their our bodies generally is a greenish gray to darkish brown color, normally rising to about 8 centimetres, with their legs extending to twice that size.

Over the previous century, the crabs have unfold around the globe, together with Europe and North America, the place they’re deemed an invasive species. They’re usually present in freshwater habitats, similar to rivers, canals and estuaries.

Chinese language mitten crabs can wreak havoc on the atmosphere by burrowing into river beds, blocking waterways and damaging fishing gear with their sharp claws. There are additionally considerations that they might eat fish eggs and outcompete native species for assets.

The species was first noticed within the UK in 1935 within the river Thames and has since turn into established in waters across the nation. Extra not too long ago, there was a flurry of crabs seen scurrying round waterways in Cambridgeshire.

The Pure Historical past Museum is operating “Mitten Crab Watch” – an initiative for members of the general public to submit their mitten crab sightings. The UK Division for Meals, Agriculture and Rural Affairs can also be encouraging folks to report sightings, which will help monitor the crab inhabitants and stop the motion of eggs.

“Numbers are rising as a result of they’ve a really uncommon life historical past. After the migration downstream, grownup females might be able to produce three spawnings of eggs,” Paul Clark on the Pure Historical past Museum told Mail Online. Every spawning can produce between 500,000 and 1 million eggs, mentioned Clark.

In a bid to sort out the rising inhabitants of those crabs within the UK, Lincolnshire Wildlife Belief, Welland and Deepings Inner Drainage Board and the Pure Historical past Museum put in the primary everlasting Chinese language mitten crab entice in Pode Gap, Lincolnshire, in August.