About This Lesson
Use this lesson when teaching animal structures and functions, marine animals, coastal habitats, adaptations, or Gulf of
Mexico ecosystems.
Students will learn about the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), a crustacean commonly found in Texas coastal waters and
throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Students will observe the crab's external structures and create a blue crab model using a
potato print, cardstock, paint, and craft materials.
As students construct their crabs, they will identify important external structures, including the carapace, claws, walking
legs, swimming legs, and eyes, and discuss how these structures help blue crabs survive in their aquatic habitats.
