Atlantic Ghost Crab | South Carolina, USA | Edward Mikol Photography

An Atlantic ghost crab is seen adjacent to its burrow on a South Carolina beach in the morning. — Atlantic Ghost Crab

South Carolina, USA

Atlantic ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) are pale, square-bodied crabs often seen on the outer sandy beaches along the east coast of the USA. Their large, stalked eyes can rotate 360 degrees. They have six yellowish legs and one claw is larger than the other. Their pale white coloring gives them proper camouflage on the sand.

They are well-adapted to life on land, although they must keep their gills moist and are usually found near water. They spend most of their time in burrows dug into the sand, which can be several feet deep. Ghost crabs are nocturnal, emerging from deep burrows at night to hunt and are known for their speed. The presence of ghost crabs can indicate a healthy beach ecosystem as they act as mesopredators, helping to control populations of smaller organisms.
Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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