Mole Crab / Sand Crab (Emerita (genus))

Error message

Unable to fetch location details at this time.

Photo by BenKula

Published on Project Noah

Zoom

4.35088, 100.576

Field Notes

Description:

Emerita is a small genus of decapod crustaceans, known as mole crabs or sand crabs. These are small animals that burrow in the sand in the wash zone and use their antennae for filter feeding.

Emerita has a barrel-shaped body. It has a tough exoskeleton and can hold its appendages close to the body, allowing it to roll in the tidal currents and waves. It has feathery antennae, which are used to filter plankton and detritus from the swash.

Habitat:

This one found dead lying on the sandy beach of Pasir Panjang Segari, Perak, Malaysia.

Notes:

This is my first encounter with the mole crab, I thought it was some kind of sea cockroach or what, but thanks to NickO I finally know what it is.

Reference Links:

Emerita (genus)

Species ID Suggestions