Chasing Ghost Crabs in Karaikal Beach, Tamil Nadu

Last weekend was spent chasing Ghost Crabs in Karaikal beach of Tamil Nadu. Not ghostly crabs but real crabs called Ghost Crabs. Just to get a decent picture of ghost crab I followed one. The other names of this crab are: Sand Crab, White Crab.

Ghost Crabs Karaikal Beach

It was difficult because of his pale sandy colored coat and his speed kept me confused. Each time I would focus and zoom in, he would scurry off diagonally. It was difficult keeping pace with him and his speed of 10 miles per hour (4.5 m/s). The red crabs of Sunderbans were easier to spot.

However I soon kept track of the eyes. It was his vertical, cylindrical eyes that helped me spot him each time. The eyes have sharp 360degree vision, which help them spot flying insects and catch them mid-air.

Ghost crab karaikal beach with vertical eyes
Ghost Crab Burrows

I found it interesting to watch him build his home, the tiny one would throw out sand from the hole almost equal to his weight and then would settle down below. Their burrows extend 3 to 4 ft down. I waited for a while for him to come out to wet his gills to obtain oxygen.

He never resurfaced, probably he must have exited through another hole.

But wait did you know they are the worst enemies of turtles?  When the baby turtles hatch from their eggs, these ghost crabs catch and drag a baby turtle down in to the holes (their homes) and feast on them.

Ghost crab karaikal beach

Noisy Ghost Crabs

You may have known Disney crabs Sebastian and Tamatoa for their acoustic skills and brushed it off thinking it as imaginary skills of crabs. But in reality ghost crabs do create loud rasping sounds, not only with its claws, but also with its guts.

Noise created by rubbing together ridges on claws is similar to that like the crickets do. These noises are believed to be both a warning and an indicator of a crab’s size and strength. The frequency is audible to many of the crab’s common enemies such as birds and raccoons, as well as to other ghost crabs and humans.

Lot of research on them has led to conclusion that crabs may rely on their claws to make noise when threats are farther away, but then switch to the stomach system when the danger closes in.

Ghost crabs in Karaikal Beach Tamil Nadu

I searched in vain for a female one with its egg sac as they frequent the water more often to keep the eggs wet. Most of them were tiny probably still in their baby stages.

The sun was about to set and I wished it was a full moon night, the beach at Karaikal, Tamil Nadu would have been then filled with these tiny Ghost Crabs scuttling across facing the moon.

Interesting Facts about Ghost Crabs

  • You can’t eat Ghost crabs
  • Ghost crabs don’t survive for long in disturbed beaches
  • They dig out sand, make burrows to hibernate during winters
  • Younger crabs are darker in color and older crabs have a lighter shade
  • They can change colors depending on their surroundings
  • Humans can easily collapse their burrows
  • Ghost crabs are omnivorous. They feed on insects, clams and the eggs and hatchlings of loggerhead turtles.
  • Raccoons, shorebirds and gulls feed on ghost crabs

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Ghost Crabs of Karaikal Beach Tamil Nadu India

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31 Responses to “Chasing Ghost Crabs in Karaikal Beach, Tamil Nadu

  • I love to eat crabs, not this small one. Huge one. They are yummy. Happy New Year 2010.

  • Happy New Year!

    Have not seen such crabs before. 😉

  • I've been to Karaikal to visit relatives and see other things..but crab tracking!! Indrani, you are opening up new worlds in familiar places. Wonderful. Keep going

  • A very happy and prosperous New Year to you and your family Indrani…

  • it's fun watching them going diagonally. And look at the eyes !

    Indrani, Wish you & your family a very Happy new year. May you travel more.

  • What a jolly entertainment that must have been ! Crisp pictures.

  • Indrani,

    I missed your blog some how for awhile! Happy New Year~

  • Interesting one ! Have u seen red crabs they r just opposites full of life & color !

  • Interesting post! Happy New Year to you too.

  • Cool critters 🙂

    Happy New Year
    or in Dutch we say
    Gelukkig Nieuwjaar 🙂

    Kareltje =^.^=
    Anya 🙂

  • Oh what cool critters. You did well in capturing them under those circumstances.

    Happy 2010!

  • A post from another world to me. Alien, weird and beautiful.

  • Nature adapts living things to their environment – amazing little crabs. Are they edible?
    Great photos.
    Happy New Year and keep up the good work.

  • The beaches in Tamil Nadu are full of them..nice pics

  • Interesting..

    Happy New Year to you.

  • Oh wow, really good macros! Aren't those crabs fast? You did a good job. I can see their tiny eyes staring intently at you. Happy New Year, Indrani!

  • happy camera critters! visit my 2nd entry! happy new year!

  • Very interesting post. Wish you too a happy new year with many more such posts.

  • awesome! wishing you all the best in 2010! mine is up. see yah.

  • Your photos of the little crab are so interesting and very enjoyable. Thank you and a very happy new Year to you and all your loved ones.

  • Fascinating post and fabulous photos! Happy 2010!

  • Fantastic snaps. Even though the crab is camouflaged and fast moving it is shot very well.

    Wish you Happy & Prosperous New Year.

  • Somehow I have been scared of crabs for years now… Nice pics.

    Happy new year to you and your family 🙂 Look forward for yet another great year with lots of informative posts!

  • What a great entry you have! Wishing you all the best this year. God Bless you and your family.

    Mine is up! Hope to see you. Your comment is much appreciated.

  • How interesting! Wonderful photos of the ghost crab. Happy New Year, Indrani!

  • That was very interesting, thanks for sharing your photos. Those are big eyes the ghost crab has!

  • This is so cool! What a very interesting critter you photographed superbly!

  • Happy New Years to you and yours. the ghost crabs are cool critters, great photos.

  • I always wondered what they ate. I tried to photograph fast-movers like this and I agree it is very difficult.

    My first time joining this meme,hope you can take a peek on my first CC entry. Have a great weekend!

  • I photographed a ghost crab in the Caribbean. I know what you went through. You have a wonderful blog with great sensitivity and wonderful photography.

  • Alert and enthusiastic!

    My Camera Critter post. Have a good day!

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