Ghost crabs

This tiny ghost crab blends in perfectly with the sand.

If you visit the beach in the evening, you might see some of these small crabs scurrying by. Ghost crabs can blend in almost perfectly with the sand, which makes them hard to see. They are also very fast. No wonder they are called ghosts!

Ghost crabs don't live in the surf, like mole crabs. Instead, they dig holes further up the beach. Sometimes you can even see them tossing grains of sand out of their holes.

If you want to see a ghost crab, visit a quiet Atlantic beach at twilight or early morning. Find one of the small ghost crab burrows. You can try waiting beside a burrow for the crab to come out. Ghost crabs have to leave their burrows at night to go to the water so that they can wet their gills. They also scavenge for food along the beach, eating just about anything they can find.

Another way to see a ghost crab is to walk along the beach with a flashlight. The light can often catch the shadow of a crab hurrying down to the water. If you are lucky, the crab might pause, surprised by the light. Carefully kneel down to see it more closely. You may notice how its eye stalks stick out. Look carefully at the crab's amazing camouflage.

Ghost crabs are fun little creatures to observe. Try to find some!