Species · GBIF taxon 2221529
Atlantic Ghost Crab
Ocypode quadrataAlso known as Sand Crab, Swift-Footed Sand Crab
Atlantic ghost crabs blend seamlessly into sandy beaches, darting sideways at remarkable speeds to escape predators or incoming waves. These semi-terrestrial crabs excavate deep, angled burrows above the high-tide line, which they use to keep their gills moist and to seek shelter from the midday sun. At night, they emerge in large numbers to scavenge for food and hunt small beach invertebrates along the shoreline.
NocturnalBurrowingCoastal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Coquina Clams
- Mole Crabs
- Insects
Predators
- Gulls
- Raccoons
- Herons
ThreatsBeach compaction, off-road vehicle traffic, and coastal development
HabitatsSandy beaches, dunes, and supralittoral zones
Life spanUp to 3 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderDecapoda
- FamilyOcypodidae
- GenusOcypode
- SpeciesOcypode quadrata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful pinch with their claws if handled; observe them from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses powerful, asymmetrical claws capable of delivering a sharp, painful pinch that can break the skin.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a pale, sand-colored, square-shaped carapace and large, club-like black eye stalks on open sandy beaches.
- What to do
- Avoid trying to catch or corner them, and never stick fingers into their active beach burrows.
Responsible observation
- Flashlight spotting: Use a red-filtered flashlight at night to observe their active foraging behavior without startling them.
- Burrow identification: Look for perfectly round holes in the dry sand surrounded by radiating tracks and excavated sand pellets.
- Keep distance: Approach slowly to watch them feed, as they will quickly retreat to their burrows if they detect sudden movement.
Co-occurring Species (c) Kathy Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Beach Neighbor no rights reserved, uploaded by Alex Heyman · cc0
Close Relative (c) Abu Hamas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Abu Hamas · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Alan Kneidel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Kneidel · cc-by
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