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Officials Worried About Chinese Mitten Crabs Invading The Hudson River

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY (WCBS 880) -- What's in the Hudson River? It may be a visitor from China and it's one that scientists and environmentalists say is not welcome here.

In Croton-on-Hudson, the Hudson River looks calm and peaceful. But it's what is beneath the water that has officials concerned.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says Chinese mitten crabs are invading the river.

WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi reports: Officials Worried About Crabby Hudson River Invasion

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"They can have millions of young," explained the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's Darrick Sparks. "If they're old enough, they will start to have little tufts on their claws, that's how they got their name the 'mitten crab.'"

And Sparks says the crabs very aggressive. "They can get into intakes, there are so many of them they can clog them," he said.

He says if you see one, call environmental officials so researchers can gather information about where these crabs have been found.

Are you worried about these crabby invaders? Sound off below in our comments section.

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