Crab Craftery

Populations of blue land crabs (Cardisoma guanhami) have declined dramatically over the years due to over-harvesting and habitat loss. They are most active at dawn and dusk near the full moon. September and October tend to be their most active months.

These vegetarian land crabs excavate a burrow that reaches down to the water table. One to two liters of water are held at the bottom of the burrow. The land crabs along our driveway have been increasingly crafty about burrow building. Many crabs have begun to use coconuts to cover the entry to their burrow …

One crab has used the prop and drop roots of a red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) for structural support …

Lots of land crabs have appreciated the rocks along the driveway …

Land crabs are very fastidious about keeping the entry way to the burrows clean and will re-locate mangrove leaves and other detritus. Also sometimes called white land crabs (for their youthful coloration) and great Atlantic land crabs, these charming creatures enter their burrows sideways, so the size of their holes do not reflect their width.

Females on the barrier island go to the ocean to release their eggs, and females on the mainland head to the Indian River Lagoon to do so. One crab can release from 300,000 to 700,000 eggs per spawn. The number of eggs released depends on the size/maturity of the crab.

When driving now at dawn and dusk (or on cloudy days), take care to let the blue land crabs reach their destination.