Distinguishing Characteristics |
Carapace rectangle in shape; slightly longer than wide; color grayish white to yellow, may have intricate designs on back to camouflage themselves with sandy substrate; claws white, one claw larger than the other, covered with nodules (bumps), margins of claws serrated; eyes on stalk that stand straight up when alive, cornea covers at least 1/2 eye stalk; legs are covered with setae (hairs). |
Similar Species |
This is the only ghost crab in the Gulf of Mexico. If you see a crab scurrying around on the beach and then disappearing into holes in the sand, it is the Atlantic ghost crab. |
Habitat |
Gulf beaches, live in burrows in the sand above the tidal zone |
Maximum Size |
6.4 cm (2 1/2 in) carapace width |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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