#ocypode

[birdblues]

Atlantic Ghost Crab

[todropscience]

TINY CRABS ARE MAJOR PREDATORS OF FLATBACK TURTLE HATCHLINGS

Flatback turtles (Natator depressus) face predation risks during their hatchling stage on Thevenard Island, Western Australia. A recent study found that while no egg predation occurred, about 30% of hatchlings were consumed, primarily by ghost crabs (Ocypode convexa). Gulls and Caspian terns were also observed preying on hatchlings, although these were less common.

The absence of egg predation is unexpected and may be explained by the strategic nesting choices of female turtles or the composition of the eggshells. Despite these protective mechanisms, the survival rate from egg to hatchling remains vulnerable.

- Ghost crabs (encircled), and silver gulls and a Caspian tern predating on flatback turtle hatchlings emerging from nests, recorded by infra-red video camera on Thevenard Island, Pilbara region, Western Australia.

Conservation strategies must address these predation threats, particularly by targeting human disturbances and reducing predator populations in key nesting areas. These findings offer vital insights into the challenges affecting flatback turtle populations and their long-term recovery.

Photograph: Golden ghost crab by kaiwolfe

Reference (open access): Avenant et al. 2024. Predation rates on flatback turtle Natator depressus eggs and hatchlings at an island rookery. Mar Biol.

[herpsandbirds]

Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata), family Ocypodidae, St. George Island State Park, Eastpoint, FL, USA

photograph by IG: robin.francis.5

[vivsemporium]

CRAB IS HERE!! With more crabbies to draw later on! These are Red Ghost Crabs (Ocypode macrocera) which are found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar There are many more stickies to come this October, as well as potentially some other forms of merch. This bad boi is already on my Etsy, so check it out! Link is in my bio

[haveyouseenthisanimal-irl]

Range: Beaches from Massachusetts (U.S.A.) to southern Brazil

[inatungulates]

Indian humpback dolphin Sousa plumbea

With pink ghost crab Ocypode ryderi

Observed by niallp, CC BY-NC

[colorsoutofearth]

Galapagos Ghost Crab (Ocypode gaudichaudii)

Photo by Ole Jorgen Liodden

[ecos-syscourse]

Dear syscoursers, the Atlantic ghost crab was once described as "An occult, secretive alien from the ancient depths of the sea."

[crabbuckit]

I want to hit him with a hammer until he dies

[pulsethebabyoctopus]

As the first of my inaugural posts that aren’t reblogs: animal friends

[t00thpasteface]

the atlantic ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata, first evolved when a mermaid enchanted a butterscotch candy, imbuing it with a whimsical personality and an olympic-level athletic talent

[transit-fag]

ocypode would be a great name for you

What

[craboftheday]

crab of the day is...

the golden ghost crab (ocypode convexa)

fun fact: yelow

[herpsandbirds]

Trick or treat! 👻

GET... OUT... OF THE HOUSE...

Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata), family Ocypodidae, St. George Island State Park, Eastpoint, FL, USA

photograph by IG: robin.francis.5

[captain-kuppa]

Atlantic Ghost Crab, [The Cannibal]

[Ocypode Quadrata]

Ready to learn about the Hannibal Lecter of crustacean family? Hop on board!

Starter : The Atlantic ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata, is a species of ghost crab. It is a common species along the Atlantic coast of the United States, where it is the only species of ghost crab.

Some fun facts about this good spooky fella!

A 2023 study using the well known mirror test found that these crabs seem to be capable of recognizing themselves in a mirror. They are self-aware.

The atlantic ghost crabs must return to water periodically to moisten their gills, and when larvae must be released into the sea, but they are otherwise terrestrial.

Their stalked compound eyes can swivel to give them 360° vision.

Fun Fact! Ghost crabs are arguably the fastest terrestrial invertebrates, capable of running at more than a meter per second.

The Atlantic ghost crab lives in burrows (like fiddle crabs!) in sand above the strandline.

These burrows can be up to 1.3 m (4'3) deep, and can be closed off with sand during hot periods.

Young crabs are cryptically colored to blend in with their sandy habitats. This way predators are less likely to see them.

Ghostie mate can produce a variety of sounds by striking the ground with the claw, by stridulation with the legs, and an incompletely explained "bubbling sound"

O. quadrata is more active at night than in the day, and is an omnivore, eating clams, mole crabs, insects, plant material, detritus, and even other crabs. They also feed on the eggs and hatchlings of sea turtles.

CANNIBALISM!? Traitors shall walk the plank!

Ghost crabs are both predators and scavengers, and they feed at night. Their prey can be influenced by the type of beach they live on.

These fuckers arr' also mostly carnivores. They got taste, don't they?

Pic by Eugene Bobylev | [Credits] | [Credits]

[spidersflower]

sorry for bad quality, it was the middle of the night :((, anyway I believe this is the Atlantic Ghost Crab, Ocypode quadrata

also, i know this isnt technically a bug, but it is an arthropod!