Ocypode cordimana Click to enlarge image
Ocypode cordimana Image: Shane Ahyong
© Shane Ahyong

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Ocypode
    Species
    cordimana
    Family
    Ocypodidae
    Suborder
    Pleocyemata
    Infraorder
    Brachyura
    Order
    Decapoda
    Superorder
    Eucarida
    Class
    Malacostraca
    Subphylum
    Crustacea
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    3.5 cm

Introduction

You will probably only catch a quick glimpse of this fast-moving crab as it races across the sand and disappears into a burrow.

Identification

The Ghost Crab is relatively small and, being almost translucent with flecks of pink and yellow, it is well camouflaged against the sand. If you manage to see one up close, you will notice its eyes are on the end of long stalks.

Habitat

Ghost Crabs live on intertidal beaches.

Distribution

Ghost Crabs are found in tropical waters, from the Kimberley in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland to Sydney, New South Wales.



Other behaviours and adaptations

The Ghost Crab stays in the cool protection of its burrow by day and scuttles down to the water at twilight to hunt. The burrow, which is built quite high up on the shore (sometimes over 100 m from the sea), can be over 1 m deep.