Species · GBIF taxon 5863460
Scopimera globosa
scopimera globosaAlso known as Globose Sand Bubbler Crab, Sand-Bubbler Crab
These tiny, industrious crabs dominate sandy beaches and mudflats across East Asia. During low tide, they emerge from their burrows to feed, filtering organic matter from the sand and leaving behind vast fields of perfectly round sand pellets. As the tide rises, they retreat into their burrows, sealing the entrance with a dome of sand to trap a pocket of air.
IntertidalBurrowingCrustacean
1 / 4- diet
- Detritus, diatoms, and microscopic organic matter filtered from sand
- family
- Dotillidae
- threats
- Coastal development, pollution, and beach grooming
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Watch from a distance: Approach slowly and stand still to watch them emerge and begin feeding.
- Look for pellets: Search for radiating patterns of tiny sand balls around a central burrow.
- Tread lightly: Walk carefully on wet sand to avoid crushing their delicate, shallow burrows.