Mudcrab Mudcrabs are large crabs found near almost any and even in sewers in " The Elder Scrolls " series . The species seems to evolve differently depending on its surroundings . They are tough and territorial , and large groups of mudcrabs may become troublesome . Individually , they are more of a nuisance than an actual danger . They often conceal themselves in muck or soft soil , causing wanderers to mistake them for rocks . Mudcrabs are typically detected by the loud scuttling of their legs as they move . Tamriellic culture . Mudcrabs are particularly known for their weakness and ugly appearance . While unremarkable in most provinces , the creature has gained a large fascination in Cyrodiil near the end of the Third Era , as evidenced in . It is a fairly common pastime for Cyrodiillic people to express their dislike for the appearance of a mudcrab to each other . Occasionally , when Cyrodillians are in battle , they throw the taunt , " I ' ve fought mudcrabs more fearsome than you ! " at their opponent . This could be taken as a serious insult , as mudcrabs are very weak . Species of Mudcrab . Morrowind Mudcrabs . This species of mudcrab resemble large , brown stones . They use this disguise to both avoid predators and fool prey before attacking with their powerful jaws and pincers , which can transmit swamp fever to their victims . The Redoran Manor District and Council halls in Ald ' ruhn are located in a massive shell that once belonged to a mudcrab of incredible size . Cyrodiilic Mudcrabs . This type does not possess the ability to camouflage itself as a rock . It is also much more crablike in appearance compared to its Morrowind cousin , in that it has pincer arms instead of jaws . Its back is covered by rock - like bulbs . It can infect its victims with swamp fever . Skyrim Mudcrabs . Skyrim mudcrabs look like crabs , like their Cyrodiillic cousins , but are also capable of pretending to be a rock like their Morrowind relatives . They are greyish in color and their back looks like a rock . They often attack in a group of two or three . They burrow themselves in the ground so only their backs are visible to fool potential enemies . Young mudcrabs have flat carapaces . Another remarkable thing about Skyrim mudcrabs is that they are a lot stronger and more aggressive than those from Morrowind and Cyrodiil . However , in contrast to them , the Skyrim mudcrabs do not infect other creatures with diseases . Mudcrabs prefer to stay near the water and will not follow their enemies too far away from its home . There also appears to be two distinct genders , or possibly a sub - species , with specimens of differing sizes . Upon visiting the fossilized giant mudcrab , various sized mudcrabs can be seen at this location . Though weak and easily killed by those with even a low archery skill , arrows will not penetrate a mudcrab ' s shell , instead bouncing back towards the archer , still inflicting damage . Unique mudcrabs . Mudcrab Merchant . A mudcrab living on an island in Morrowind . He has no physical differences from a regular mud crab , prompting many to attack him . However , it is possible to talk or trade with him , and he has 10 , 000 gold to spend . Spectral Mudcrab . A spectral mudcrab can be found in Mankar Camoran ' s Paradise . It appears to be a ghostly version of a mudcrab , and can only be killed with silver , daedric , or magic weapons . King Mudcrab . A giant mudcrab , ( roughly the size of eight mudcrabs although no stronger ) , can also be found in Greenmead Cave , a cave halfway between Skingrad and the Imperial City on the Gold Road . It guards multiple treasure chests . Other than its size , the giant mudcrab has the same amount of health , damage ratio and crab meat as any regular mudcrab . Because of its incredible size , the crab moves far faster than a normal one . Fossilized Giant Mudcrab . Found in Skyrim at a small pond between Swindler ' s Den and Broken Fang Cave is the carcass of a giant fossilized mudcrab , approximately the size of the King Mudcrab . It is surrounded by regular mudcrabs of different sizes . This dead giant crab cannot be reanimated by using conjuration spells , as it seems to be only the shell of the gigantic mudcrab . Guardian Mudcrab . A spectral mudcrab is fought during Kyne ' s Sacred Trials and only shows up during this quest . It is apparently the spirit of the Fossilized Giant mudcrab . Pincer . Pincer is a small mudcrab in . If an adopted child may bring Pincer home with them and ask if they can keep it . If permission is given , it will stay in the house as long as it lives . Old Salty . Old Salty is a giant mudcrab , found in . It is a newly introduced giant creature , along with Lord Tusk , a giant horker . Appearances . < tabber > Oblivion = Skyrim = < / tabber >