Free Parts of a Crab Worksheet

Get ready for an adventure with our free parts of a crab worksheet.

We’ve got you covered with these free homeschool printables that introduce your little explorers to the incredible world of crabs.

The activity sheet highlights the key components of a crab, covering six important parts: the abdomen, swimming legs, eyes, antennae, walking legs, and claws.

You have the option to select from three free animal body parts worksheets. The first one allows you to label the parts using a word bank, the second challenges you to write the parts without any hints, and the third involves matching the parts to their correct locations.

Plus encourage the kids to use their creativity as they color in the crab.

Let the learning begin with these free printable educational coloring pages!

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What is the anatomy of a crab?

Crabs, like other crustaceans, have several distinct body parts. Here are the main parts of a crab:

Abdomen

The abdomen of a crab is a soft, flexible portion located underneath the hard carapace.

It houses the crab’s reproductive organs and plays a crucial role in swimming, with specialized swimmerets that aid in propelling the crab through the water.

Swimming legs

The swimmerets, found on the crab’s abdomen, are small, leg-like appendages that facilitate swimming.

They create rhythmic movements, propelling the crab backward through the water, and also serve as brood pouches in female crabs, where eggs are carried and protected.

Eyes

Crabs have compound eyes, positioned on either side of their cephalothorax.

These complex eyes provide excellent panoramic vision and are particularly sensitive to detect movement and changes in light, helping the crab spot potential predators and prey.

Antennae

Crabs have two pairs of antennae on their heads.

The longer pair, called antennules, are essential for touch and taste sensations, while the shorter antennae are responsible for detecting chemical cues and smells in their environment.

Walking legs

Crabs possess four pairs of walking legs, which are sturdy and designed for mobility on various surfaces.

These legs allow the crab to walk in a sideways motion, providing stability and agility while exploring their surroundings.

Claws

The large, powerful claws, or chelipeds, are a defining feature of crabs.

They serve various purposes, such as defense against predators, capturing and handling food, and even attracting mates during courtship displays.

In some crab species, one claw is larger and used for crushing while the other is smaller and used for cutting.

Books about crabs for kids

Carry on learning about crabs with our favorite books:

A House For Hermit Crab. Join Hermit Crab on an underwater adventure as he searches for the perfect new home, meeting a variety of sea creatures along the way. In this heartwarming children’s book, young readers learn about friendship, growth, and the importance of embracing change.

National Geographic Readers: Tide Pools. Dive into the fascinating world of tide pools with National Geographic Readers, where kids explore the diverse and vibrant ecosystems found along the seashore. This educational book offers captivating photographs and fun facts about the creatures that inhabit these unique coastal habitats.

Marine Biologists on a Dive (Kid Scientist). Embark on a thrilling underwater journey with young marine biologists as they explore the mysteries of the ocean and its inhabitants. Through engaging storytelling and colorful illustrations, this book introduces children to the wonders of marine science and the exciting world of underwater research.

Additional crab resources

Carry on learning with these free crab activities for preschoolers:

• Explore the stages of a crab’s life from egg to adulthood with these engaging crab life cycle worksheets.
• A fun and creative activity for young learners to make C is for crab handprint while learning the alphabet.
• Paper plate crab craft from Simple Everyday Mom: An easy and adorable craft project using paper plates to create cute crabs.
• A house for hermit crab printables from Crystal and Comp: Enhance your reading of “A House for Hermit Crab” with these delightful printables.

Get the free body parts of a crab worksheet here!

If you are running short on time you can download all of our life cycle worksheets. There are 247 pages over 23 different life cycles.

Need to print later? Add this to your Pinterest board or share it on Facebook. You’ll have it handy whenever you’re ready to use it!

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Last Updated on 8 April 2025 by Clare Brown