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).

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