Ghost crabs are one of the fastest terrestrial crabs on the planet. They live in burrows underneath the sand on the coastline. They are found scavenging for food early in the morning and late in the evening to avoid predators. These sand crabs can change colors to adapt to their environment. In Okinawa, we have two species of Ghost crabs, the Horn-eyed crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus) and the Smooth-eyed ghost crab (Ocypode cordimanus).
Horn-eyed ghost crab at Maede flats
Ghost crabs have three ways to avoid predators.
- Stay close to their burrow and retreat into it quickly.
- Escape into the surf zone and burrow underneath the wet sand.
- Stay still and slowly dig into the beach sand
Ghost crab burrow
Elusive ghost crab
These crabs have the ability to fold their eyes into grooves for protection.
Ghost crab & Stella 2000
This large ghost crab tried to intimidate me with its large claws and scary shadow.
The sand dwelling hunter
These crabs were photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Biodiversity Project. The project is dedicated to connecting people worldwide with the wildlife in their communities. All images are used for conservation awareness and educational purposes.
MYN Biodiversity Project Japan.
Juvenile – Ocypode sp
The Juveniles can be extremely colorful depending on their surrounding environment. I have been finding more and more trash washed on the shoreline. Could the crabs possibly be adapting to the colors of the sounding marine debris washed ashore?
the Smooth-eyed ghost crab ( Ocypode cordimanus)
All ghost crabs are scavengers, mainly feeding on seaweed, fruit, seeds, other crabs, turtle hatchlings, and insects.
feeding on beetles
Feeding on a hermit crab
Feeding on a shrew
These crabs are beautiful creatures and hopefully, you will get the opportunity to see one in the wild.
Pink ghost crab
People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography? Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.
My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands
This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature
Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.
#MakeTheSwitch4Nature