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Horned Ghost Crab

Ocypode ceratophthalmus

Photo by Francis Floe
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

As their common name implies, O. ceratophthalmus possess eyestalks extending beyond the eyes into long points, which are longer in adults, and shorter (or even absent) in juveniles. The crabs have a box-shaped body, 6–8 centimetres (2.4–3.1 in) across the carapace, with a darker markings towards the rear in the shape of an H. The outer edges of the eye-sheaths are also sharp and broadly triangular and distinctly pointing sideways in larger individuals. O. ceratophthalmus can run at speeds of up to 2.1 metres per second (6.9 ft/s).

Habitat:

It lives in the Indo-Pacific region (except the Red Sea); from the coast of East Africa to the Philippines and from Japan to the Great Barrier Reef. They also occur in the Pacific Islands to as far east as Polynesia and Clipperton Island.

Notes:

This photographed ghost crab was already weak and has a hole on its back.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (1)

Amazing spotting. Great info too!
Photographed
PublishedJune 8, 2021

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