Mole crabs are tiny barrel-shaped, crustaceans
adapted for burrowing in the sand. They are found in tropical and temperate marine waters
worldwide. Some are up to 2 in (5 cm) long, but many are less than one inch (2.5 cm) long.
They live in colonies in the intertidal zone, where the waves wash over the sand on the beach.
The constant wave action consistently moves things around on the beach. Tides also change as the day
progresses. Mole crabs must follow the tides to stay in their desired s
wash zone. Entire mole crab
colonies move up and down the beach as the tide shifts. They have tough armor that blends into
their sandy surroundings and protects them from oncoming waves. They have five pairs of appendages
and a short tail known as a telson. The short, triangular tail is used for digging. To stay put
in the sand, they burrow quickly and often. They use their legs to burrow backward just beneath the
surface of the sand. In areas like Chesapeake Bay, in the winter, mole crabs
leaves the beach
and retreat to deeper offshore waters. Mole crabs have no threatening claws. They feed
on plankton and detritus. They have eyes on short stalks and feathery antennae that are used for
feeding. When the antennae are filled with bits and pieces of food, the antennae are curled
back to the mouth and the food is ingested. Males will often attach themselves to females,
becoming semi-parasitic. Females are typically much larger than males. Mating occurs mostly
in spring and summ
er. Females carry as many as 45,000 orange eggs on their underside until the
eggs hatch — about 30 days later. For some time, the larvae drift as plankton, and
currents may carry them long distances. Fish and birds are the main predators of mole
crabs. Many seabirds love to walk along the shore and search for mole crabs hiding just
beneath the surface of the sand. Mole crabs are also caught and used as bait by many
fishermen. The crustaceans are harmless to humans and do not bite or sting.
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Comments
Hi DMS! Thanks for this wonderful video. These little creatures are part of every childhood adventure at the beach. Putting them in your sand bucket..and being told to release them back! Thanks ❤🦀
I remember these creatures
Wonderful! I remember catching these at Virginia Beach and Chincoteague.
love these guys!! i have countless happy childhood memories of catching these guys, they were (and still are) so facinating to me and helped spark my lifelong love of marine biology! your videos are always so informative, thank you so much for sharing!
I remember these as a kid ❤
I played with these as a child!
Your info if great keep up the good work
Hi DMS! Love your videos, can you do facts about Checkerboard Wrasse, or the Annularis Angelfish / Blue Ringed Angelfish? Because I would love to see it if you got a chance. Thanks! Keep up the good work!
🦀🐚
NEW CRAB VIDEOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEAAAAAAAAAH I had a horrible day today
Evolution is strange. They didnt even go on land. They just chilled in the beach. 😅 Evolving legs just to dig with them. Haha
Can they also swim backwards too?