Chasing Ghost Crabs at night in Karaikal Beach, Tamil Nadu
Ghost crabs, true to their name, are fascinating creatures that are most active at night along sandy beaches. Last weekend, we visited Karaikal Beach in Tamil Nadu, not expecting that we’d end up chasing ghost crabs at night, under the stars. Their name stems from their pale, almost translucent bodies, which blend seamlessly into their surroundings, giving them a ghost-like appearance. Although the dim light obscured many details of their shells, we followed their fleeting silhouettes across the sand. As nocturnal scavengers, ghost crabs emerge from their burrows after sunset to hunt for small marine animals, detritus, and even turtle hatchlings. They’re quick and agile, darting across the sand with remarkable speed.
These crabs are also known as Sand Digger Crabs or White Crabs. If you have the patience, watching ghost crabs at night offers a glimpse into their secretive behaviour as they scurry to avoid predators while seeking food in the moonlit surf.
Ghost Crabs Karaikal Beach
Chasing these little creatures along the beach wasn’t just a fun pastime; it quickly turned into a learning adventure. The kids were curious and had endless questions: Where do ghost crabs live? What do ghost crabs eat? How do you even find ghost crabs on a sandy beach? And, of course, the most pressing question of all—can you eat ghost crabs?
As we pursued their elusive silhouettes, we discovered that ghost crabs burrow deep into the sand, creating tunnels where they retreat during the day. At night they crawl out. Arrive at dusk to observe their nocturnal activities. Finding them can be tricky, but with patience and a bit of luck, you can spot them by the quick movements of their legs against the sand more easily on a full moon night.
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 Crabs live in 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.
What do ghost crabs eat?
They feed mostly on small marine animals, which they hunt for at night. 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. Sad, isn’t it?
Can you eat Ghost Crabs?
Crab meat is full of nutrients, especially blue crab meat. Vitamins A, B12, C, and E, as well as numerous minerals like zinc and iron, can all be found in crab meat. However these ghost crabs are so small, there is hardly any meat. If you are really keen you may have to catch a bunch of them, boil and make a broth with some seasoning.
Are ghost crabs dangerous?
Tiny ghost crabs can seem intimidating to small kids due to their claws and quick, darting movements. However, despite these factors, ghost crabs are not dangerous to humans. They are small, shy creatures that typically avoid contact with people and quickly scurry away when approached. Their pincers aren’t strong enough to cause any significant harm to human skin. Instead, their primary defense is their speed and ability to burrow into the sand to escape predators. Overall, the ghost crabs pose no threat and are completely harmless to beachgoers.
Noisy Sand Digger 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 these 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 at night 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 had 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.
How to catch Ghost Crabs?
Catching ghost crabs can be a fun challenge, especially because of their speed and nocturnal habits. Timing is important when you plan your crabbing activity. Ghost crabs are most active at night, so head to the beach after sunset or before dawn when they emerge from their burrows. Keep an eye on the moon phase too, as crabs tend to be more active during a full or new moon.
Bring the right equipment and wear dark colours so you blend in with the dark of the night. A flashlight to spot them would be helpful and a net or bucket to catch them. Serious crabbers use headlamps to keep hands free. Once you spot a ghost crab, approach it quietly and swiftly. They will often freeze for a moment before running, which is the right moment to scoop them up or gently trap them with your hands.
Though all this may sound like fun try and limit this activity as they’re an important part of the ecosystem and help clean the beach. Stay safe as they can pinch if handled roughly.
Interesting Facts about Ghost Crabs
- You can eat Ghost crabs but you don’t eat them as they are valued for their role as scavengers of beach eco-system
- 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 colour and older crabs have a lighter shade
- They can change colours depending on their surroundings
- Humans can easily collapse their burrows
- Ghost crabs are omnivorous. Ghost crabs eat insects, clams and the eggs and hatchlings of loggerhead turtles.
- Raccoons, shorebirds and gulls feed on ghost crabs
Conclusion
This experience of chasing the ghost crabs at night became a spontaneous lesson in the natural world, with the kids marvelling at these creatures’ adaptability and survival instincts.
You may like these:
Can We Save the Bees to Save Our Planet
Where do Eurasian Hoopoe Nest?
Indian Crocodile: King of Rivers
Pin this for later
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!