There are 11 types of poisonous crabs in Taiwan that may cause shock if eaten by mistake

Attention crab lovers! Be careful not to accidentally eat poisonous crabs. Be aware of the 11 types of poisonous crabs in Taiwan. Also, do not eat dead crabs to avoid vomiting and diarrhea caused by toxic substances, and even shock, which can be fatal.

According to the Kenting National Park Administration, the most poisonous crab is the "copper-cast cooked river crab." (Photo courtesy of Kenting National Park Administration)

According to the Kenting National Park Administration, there are at least 11 species of poisonous crabs along the coast of Taiwan, 5 of which live in the waters of Kenting National Park. Some of these crabs are extremely toxic and can cause neurotoxicity and death if ingested by mistake. The most poisonous of these crabs, the "copper-cast cooked river crab," is the crab that has killed the most people in world literature.

The reason why crabs are toxic also comes from the marine environment on which they depend for survival. Even the same species of organisms have different toxicities in different waters. Even the toxicity of each individual in the same water is different. It depends on the pollution of the marine environment.

Crabs are omnivorous creatures that feed on seaweed, fish, shrimp, small animals such as crabs and shellfish, carcasses, biological debris or organic matter in the mud. Therefore, when they eat these foods that are also contaminated by toxic ocean water, the toxins will be stored and accumulated in their organ tissues, especially in the muscle tissue, i.e. the crab meat, and in the meat of their big feet. It just so happens that crab meat and the meat inside the bigfoot are the parts that gourmets like to eat the most, so the chance of ingesting toxins also increases.

It is worth noting that this toxin stored and accumulated in crabs is not easily decomposed by heat, and even cooking cannot remove the toxicity. Eaters often accidentally ingest it. Since crab venom is a neurotoxin, once absorbed into the blood, it can only be treated by inducing vomiting and supportive therapy. There is no specific medicine. If the absorbed concentration is not high, it is easy to treat, but if the toxin concentration is too high, it will be more difficult to treat, and diners are prone to shock, and even fatal dangers.

Therefore, do not catch crabs off the coast of Taiwan just for the sake of momentary satisfaction, or even eat them without knowing the reason. This is very dangerous. Whether for conservation or health reasons, do not catch or even eat crabs because they look delicious.