Blue crabs have a serious cannibalism problem

But growing up can help these famed Chesapeake crustaceans. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Cannibalism is the number one killer of the crustaceans that congregate in mid-salinity waters like coastal estuaries. As a result, the blue crabs are relying on the safety of some threatened shallow water habitats, according to a study published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (). The lives of blue crabs are anything but boring.