Ghost Crab in burrow – D200, handheld, f9, 1/800, ISO 200, 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
This Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) image was taken on the Gulf coast of Florida while I still lived there.
Quite often people miss seeing these crabs because they blend with the color of the sand so well and they can scurry down their holes very quickly. Crabs can move in all directions but they usually move sideways.
Crabs are from the order Decapoda and they all have ten legs. Atlantic Ghost Crabs breathe through gills, so they do have to return to the seawater to wet their gills. They also release their eggs into the salt water which then develop into marine larvae.
The size of crabs is measured across the carapace and the measurement does not include the legs, ghost crabs are about 1 1/2 inches across the carapace.
I found that if I could locate an Atlantic Ghost Crab burrow and sit very quietly close to it that they would slowly creep out far enough for me to get some photos.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Atlantic Ghost Crab photos.