Ghost Crab on the Gulf Coast

Ghost Crab on the Gulf Coast



The Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) is a common, albeit seldom seen, resident of Florida’s Gulf Coast sandy beaches. With a pale colored body and generally nocturnal habits, this crab often goes unnoticed as it digs it’s burrow in soft sand.

It’s family name, Ocypode, means fast feet! And they are…as they scuttle sideways.If you see a hole in the sand….not far above the high tide line….then observe quietly.

You might see our little crab throwing sand out of his burrow.

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Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) is a common, albeit seldom seen, resident of Florida’s Gulf Coast sandy beaches.

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With a pale colored body and generally nocturnal habits, this crab often goes unnoticed as it digs it’s burrow in soft sand.

1 Boca+ghost+crab+002
It’s family name, Ocypode, means fast feet! And they are…as they scuttle sideways.

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If you see a hole in the sand….not far above the high tide line….then observe quietly. You might see our little crab throwing sand out of his burrow.

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Perfect Ghost Crab habitiat at Boca Grande Beach State Park on Gasparilla Island.

Steven Scott

Steven Scott

Steven Scott is a photonaturalist blogger based in Florida and Maine. He has surveyed butterflies with Earthwatch Institute in the mountains of Vietnam, tagged juvenile snook with Mote Marine Laboratory in the mangroves of Florida and filmed a BioBlitz insect survey in Acadia National Park. A registered nurse and retired Army officer, Steven believes man is an integral part of nature and travels annually to Vietnam with humanitarian medical teams from Vets With a Mission.

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Steven Scott

Steven Scott

Steven Scott is a photonaturalist blogger based in Florida and Maine. He has surveyed butterflies with Earthwatch Institute in the mountains of Vietnam, tagged juvenile snook with Mote Marine Laboratory in the mangroves of Florida and filmed a BioBlitz insect survey in Acadia National Park. A registered nurse and retired Army officer, Steven believes man is an integral part of nature and travels annually to Vietnam with humanitarian medical teams from Vets With a Mission.

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