Dungeness Crab Vs. Snow Crab: 15 Differences Comparison

Dungeness and snow crabs are two of the most prevalent crab varieties discovered in fish markets and dining establishments.

If you want to learn more about the differences between these two species, or if you’re interested in consuming them, you might wonder what those differences are.

Dungeness crabs and snow crabs are part of separate crab families. Dungeness crabs are native to the Pacific Ocean. They tend to prefer sandy bottoms, shallower waters up to 165 feet deep, and temperate climates. Snow crabs, on the other hand, live in colder waters found in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Japanese seas. They prefer muddy bottoms, deeper waters, and are smaller in size compared to Dungeness crabs.

Snow crabs are usually pricier than Dungeness crabs and are frequently regarded as more delicious.

The chart underneath demonstrates a brief compilation of information and distinctions between snow crabs and Dungeness crabs.

*The information in the table above was obtained from scientific publications, government organizations, and other authoritative sources.

1. Classification (Species)

Dungeness and snow crabs are not just two distinct crab types, they actually belong to separate families.

The Cancridae family is known for being true crabs, and the sole representative found on the western coast of North America is the Dungeness crabs, which belong to the rock crab family.

Snow crabs, which are part of the Oregoniidae family, have longer legs in relation to their bodies. The main difference between this family and the Cancridae family is the length of their legs.

2. Geographic Range

Dungeness and snow crabs not only come from distinct families, but they also have varying temperature and water depth preferences.

These preferences determine the regions in which they reside.

Dungeness crabs inhabit the western shoreline of North America, in the Pacific Ocean.

Even though these crabs actually prefer warmer waters, with temperatures thriving at 42.8°F, they live in waters where other species of crabs thrive.

Extending from Alaska to Mexico, their geographical distribution is extensive. Typically, they cannot tolerate temperatures below 38°F, but they are also capable of inhabiting colder aquatic environments.

Snow crabs favor colder waters, but they have a significantly wider geographical scope than Dungeness crabs.

Although the majority of the population concentrates in the adjacent Canadian provinces near the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Greenland to Maine spans the largest range of snow crab.

Snow crab populations also reside off the coast of Asia, specifically in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. Additionally, they are found near the West Coast of America, primarily in the Northern Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea in Alaska.

Despite being capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 41°F, snow crabs tend to favor colder waters with temperatures below 37.4°F.

3. Habitat

Both Dungeness and snow crabs inhabit saltwater environments, yet they possess distinct habitat preferences.

Dungeness crabs can be found on almost any type of bottom. They are often found in the intertidal zone, in shallower waters and sandy bottoms.

Snow crabs favor muddy bottoms and deeper waters, but similar to Dungeness crabs, they can be located on different types of bottoms.

4. Average Depth

Another contrast between the two types is the favored underwater level.

Snow crabs generally favor more profound waters, presumably because they stay colder all year round.

The average depth of adult snow crabs is typically around 500 feet, although larger individuals, which are usually older, can be found at depths over 1,000 feet.

It is uncommon, but they can be found at depths of 750 feet. Dungeness crabs usually inhabit shallower waters with warmer temperatures.

Their preferred average depth does not exceed 165 feet, and they are seldom plentiful at depths exceeding 300 feet.

5. Size (Width)

From a visual perspective, one of the primary distinctions between Dungeness and snow crabs is their size, with the former being bigger.

Smaller sizes up to six or seven inches across the back are more frequently observed, although they usually reach widths of up to 10 inches, specifically the Dungeness crabs.

In comparison, snow crabs are approximately half the size, with carapace widths reaching six inches.

Similar to Dungeness crabs, snow crabs are frequently smaller than six inches, and the females seldom surpass three inches in width.

Nevertheless, snow crabs possess lengthier limbs, which can give them the appearance of being bigger when compared to the Dungeness variety.

6. Weight

Despite the differences in size, there are no significant weight variations between snow and Dungeness crabs.

The upper limit is approximately four pounds, but bigger crabs are more massive. Usually, a Dungeness crab with a width of 6.5 inches has an average weight ranging from two to three pounds.

Snow crabs are also slightly lighter and smaller in size, weighing around one pound on average and measuring just over 3.5 inches in width, similar to an average female.

Similar to Dungeness crabs, larger males with a measurement of 6.5 inches across generally weigh approximately three pounds.

7. Physical Characteristics

Dungeness crabs can sometimes be mistaken for other types of rock crabs because they are fairly easy to recognize by their cream undersides and carapace.

The pincers are usually white, and these shellfish have shorter limbs in comparison to their body size.

The belly, which is slender in males and broad and curved in females, is a significant differentiation between male and female Dungeness crabs.

Determining the gender of crabs is essential for fishermen and crabbers as it is prohibited to catch female crabs according to regulations.

Varying from sandy brown to vibrant red, the carapace retains the identical warm hue, however, they lack protrusions on the exterior. Snow crabs are the lesser relatives of king crabs.

Like king crabs, snow crabs possess elongated appendages in relation to their body dimensions, which distinguishes them significantly from Dungeness crabs.

Snow crab males are typically smaller in size than females, with their abdomens also being smaller. Dungeness crabs have wider abdomens than males.

8. Behavior

Both species of crabs are solitary animals, usually only gathering during the mating period.

Mating takes place during the late spring and summer months for Dungeness crabs, when females are undergoing molting, while males remain in a rigid shell state.

When females are shedding their exoskeleton – and, therefore, are prepared to reproduce, they emit pheromones that allure male crabs.

During the upcoming spring, the crab larvae emerge and attach themselves to the female crab’s abdomen, which later enables egg fertilization to occur only in Dungeness crab females, thus facilitating delayed fertilization.

Snow crabs exhibit comparable conduct, however, males generally show greater commitment to the mating ceremony.

During the reproductive season, the male protects, nourishes, and supports the female in molting, all the while remaining faithful to their chosen partners.

Like Dungeness crabs, male snow crabs do not provide any additional support after fertilization, while the female carries the fertilized eggs for a period of up to three years.

9. Diet

Both Dungeness and snow crabs are predatory organisms that consume plankton, larvae, fish, shrimps, and various other marine creatures.

Like algae and phytoplankton, snow crabs may also consume plants as part of their diet, but both species can also act as scavengers, feeding on the remains of fish.

10. Predators

Dungeness crabs have a range of predators, particularly during the larval and young stages.

Seals and sea lions forage for Dungeness crabs when they reach adulthood, but their number of natural enemies is limited. Halibuts, octopuses, salmon, dogfish, and waterfowl feed on them before they mature.

Snow crabs, throughout their larval, young, and mature phases, encounter a greater number of predators as a result of their diminutive size. Snow crabs are hunted by an assortment of predators such as cod fish, salmon, and octopuses.

Other predators comprise waterfowl, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and a range of other fish.

11. Lifespan

One significant contrast between Dungeness and snow crabs is their lifespan, as the latter usually lives twice as long.

Specifically, Dungeness crabs typically live for around 10 years. Conversely, snow crabs have the ability to endure for up to 20 years.

12. Harvest Season

The harvest of Dungeness crab varies based on the season and is typically legal all year round in the area, including jetties and tide pools, beaches, bays, and estuaries.

The season is closed from October to November in different states, such as Oregon. The regional seasons for ocean Dungeness crabbing can differ from one state to another.

The snow crab season usually begins in April and can continue for a period of three to five months, ending in either June or September, depending on the specific geographical region.

13. Price

Expensive more are they reason this for. Crabs Dungeness than harder typically are and waters deeper and colder in live crabs snow.

While prices consistently change, a pound of Dungeness crab presently has a price of approximately $11.95.

Per pound, snow crabs from Newfoundland and Labrador are priced at approximately $17.05, whereas crabs caught in St. Lawrence are even pricier, costing around $17.15.

The ultimate price of Dungeness and snow crabs in restaurants or grocery stores may be higher, but it is important to mention that these are wholesale prices.

14. Taste

Although personal preference varies, snow crab is generally regarded as more flavorful than Dungeness crab.

This type of crab, when cooked, has a fibrous and firm texture. It has a subtly briny yet sweet flavor, reminiscent of seawater, with snowy white meat.

The meat of snow crabs is firmer than that of legs but still softer. Dungeness crab has a softer body texture. Snow crab meat has a slightly nutty but mild flavor and the softer texture could be less pleasing.

15. Conservation Status

The populations of Snow and Dungeness crabs are both stable; however, there is limited information available concerning their quantities.

Is Snow Crab Better Than Dungeness Crab?

Whether snow crabs are superior to Dungeness crabs is a matter of personal preference.

Some individuals enjoy more sugary tastes and smoother consistencies. Others favor a more savory flavor and a denser texture.