Ghost crabs are a type of crab that live in sandy beaches and coastal areas in many tropical and subtropical regions, They get their name from their pale coloration and nocturnal habits Here is an overview of what ghost crabs look like
Appearance and Coloration
-
Ghost crabs typically have a square-shaped, sandy or white colored body that acts as camouflage against the beach. Their bodies are semi-transparent and appear ghostly, which is how they got their name.
-
Young ghost crabs are much darker than adults, with shells colored a mottled gray and brown. As they mature, their shells lighten in color.
-
Adult ghost crabs can gradually change their body color over time to match their surroundings They do this through dispersing and concentrating pigments in special cells called chromatophores
-
Some species, like the painted ghost crab, have more vivid body colors like orange, yellow or red bands on their legs. The colors serve as a warning to predators that they are toxic.
Eyes and Vision
-
One of the most distinguishing features of ghost crabs are their eyes, which are set on long, movable eyestalks.
-
Their eyestalks are thick and elongated, with the black cornea occupying the entire lower portion. This allows them to have 360 degree vision.
-
Ghost crabs have excellent eyesight. They can detect light changes instantly, helping them identify threats. Their vision is adapted for their nocturnal habits.
-
The eyestalks can withdraw into grooves on the carapace to protect the eyes.
Body Size
-
Ghost crabs are relatively small crabs, measuring just 2-3 inches across as adults.
-
Males are generally slightly larger than females. The different sexes can also be identified by the male’s larger claws.
Legs and Claws
-
Ghost crabs have five pairs of legs, with the front pair featuring one claw that is larger than the other.
-
The claws are used for communication, defense, attracting mates and gathering food. They can produce sounds by rubbing them together.
-
Male fiddler crabs have a more dramatic size difference between their claws. Ghost crab claws are more equally sized.
-
Ghost crabs are incredible sprinters on land thanks to their strong legs, reaching speeds of 10 miles per hour.
Behavior and Habits
-
Ghost crabs are largely nocturnal and spend the daylight hours in sandy burrows near the high tide line.
-
They emerge at night to scavenge for food, including carrion, worms, small mollusks and even baby sea turtles.
-
Ghost crabs use a bubbling sound created by their gill chambers to communicate and attract mates. Males create tidy piles of excavated sand at burrow entrances.
-
To survive on land, ghost crabs periodically dip their gills in ocean water to moisten them. They cannot breathe underwater.
-
When threatened, they flee rapidly back to their burrows. They will also submerge themselves in water briefly.
Gardening for Moths book
I and my coauthor, Chelsea Gottfried, were pleased indeed to receive our first copies of Gardening for Moths: A Regional Guide , a week or s…
Ghost Crab Facts: the Crabs in Holes on Beaches | Animal Fact Files
FAQ
Why can’t you eat ghost crabs?
In theory, you can eat ghost crabs. But you probably shouldn’t. Their bodies are small, maxing out at perhaps three inches, containing barely a mouthful of meat. And, as noted, a ghost crab’s diet includes Portuguese man o’ wars, which are known to be a beach hazard.
How do you identify a ghost crab?
Identifying Features
The pale white color gives the ghost crab its name and makes it rather difficult to spot on Gulf Islands’ sugar white sand beaches. Six yellowish legs support its pale square shaped body. These mesopredators have stalked eyes and have one claw that is larger than the other.
Where do ghost crabs live?
Habitat. Ghost crabs inhabit tropical and subtropical areas and can be found on both oceanic and more protected estuarine beaches. They are found on the supralittoral zone (the area above the spring high tide line) of sand beaches, from the water line up to the dunes.
Is a ghost crab rare?
The Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) is a common species that can be found along the Atlantic coastline of the United States.