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Soldier Crabs

Mictyris longicarpus

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
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-27.3186, 153.073

Field Notes

Description:

The Soldier Crab (aka Blue Army Crab) is indigenous to Eastern Australia. Globular body, and the adults have a sky blue carapace. They can grow to more than 25 mm across. Burrows corkscrew-like into intertidal muddy sandflats, and thousands of crabs emerge on falling tide to form characteristic 'armies'. It's one of the most loved crabs in Australia.

Habitat:

The muddy tidal flats of Sandgate, Moreton Bay. These fellows were found at night, and there were thousands of them.

Notes:

Until I disturbed them, these three had a little huddle going. It looked like they were chatting to one another.

Reference Links:

Mictyris longicarpus, Soldier Crab - Australian Museum

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (13)
Neil Ross
Thanks, Mark. I've seen a few here and there in the past, but nothing like the number I saw on this particular evening. The three in this spotting did stand out though simply because there was enough light to see them :)
Neil Ross
Thanks, Michael and Jason. Blue is pretty awesome anywhere. My first time to see a blue crab :)
Jason Alexander
Congratulations Neil! Cool creatures! It's such an amazing to find blue color in animals isn't?
Neil Ross
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the SOTD. Lauren, there were thousands of them, but it was so dark and there were so many, I didn't want to take the risk of crushing them. In the shadows, I could faintly make out massive clusters of them, but I just couldn't get close enough for a photo.
LaurenZarate
Congratulations Neil! These are really beautiful and it must be unbelievable to see thousands of them at once!
LisaPowers
Congrats Neil Ross, these dancing crabs are our featured Spot of the Day! Thanks for sharing! https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10156787275390603/?type=3&theater https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/719003194123292673
Jim Nelson
Nice spotting, Neil, interesting summary!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
The Color Blue
Mission
Wildlife of Brisbane
Mission
2016 Best Wildlife Photo

Tags

Photographed
PublishedApril 10, 2016

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