[9] The carapace is yellow-grey[9] or light purplish,[6] with "leopardlike clusters of purple dots".

[11] O. ocellatus is part of a distinct group of Ovalipes which also includes O. floridanus, O. iridescens, O. molleri, and O.

[9] The following cladogram based on morphology shows the relationship between O. catharus and the other extant species of Ovalipes:[10][e]

The distribution of Ovalipes ocellatus extends along North America's Atlantic coast from Canada to Georgia.

[14] The diet of Ovalipes ocellatus consists predominantly of bivalves, crustaceans including other crabs, polychaetes, cephalopods, and gastropods.