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| Mangrove crab at Ding Darling |
The Mangrove crabs belong to Ocypodidae family.
The females are duller than the males. The males have one claw bigger than the other whereas the female doesn't. The males have a purple carapace and the females are brown. Their eyes are on eye stalks and are placed in the center of the carapace.
They are found in the sand, mud and in trees and in burrows close to the water.
The larger claw is used to get the attention of females and to defend his territory. The male stand by the opening of the burrow holding the large claw in the air.
They live together in large groups whilst feeding. They feed on decomposing plant matter and mud. They hibernate in the colder months.
They are important in the salt marshes as the burrow and feed on decaying matter.
Edc.uri.edu, (2015). Fiddler Crabs. [online] Available at: http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/invert/fiddler.htm [Accessed 14 Apr. 2015].
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