Ghost Crab

Scientific Name: Ocypode quadrata

Order & Family: Order Decapoda, Family Ocypodidae

Size: Carapace (shell) width typically 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm).

Ghost Crab

Natural Habitat

Sandy beaches in the intertidal zone, primarily found from the water's edge to the dunes.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers and predators; they eat small clams, mole crabs, insects, and detritus.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal; they dig deep burrows in the sand to stay moist and avoid predators. Known for their rapid movement and ability to change color to match the sand.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans but can pinch if handled. They benefit the ecosystem as scavengers, cleaning the beach, and as a food source for birds and raccoons.

Identified on: 12/26/2025