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Sand Hopper(?)

Talitrus saltator(?)

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41.15, -8.61024

Field Notes

Description:

i think that this are holes drillded by an animal that we call sea flee,because they jump like the flee's,did anybody can confirm me that,or id any way?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talitrus_saltator

Species ID Suggestions

Sand hopper

Talitrus saltator

Reference Link
Noe and Pili
1

Comments (12)
AntónioGinjaGinja
well observed Shebe:-)so let's continue ower research until a positiv ID is reached,ok?it's better to change the spot to unknowned so more people can be tempted(like you:) to investigate the doozer of this puzzling holes,that are spreaded all over the world and nobody know who made them:-)and thanks again for your interest in the subject
shebebusynow
I will continue to inquire. Thinking about it, though, there's far more sand fleas than holes, and the holes are there no matter what the season or temperature. I'm guessing that, when the sand fleas burrow, their tracks are covered just as sand shrimp leave no trace when they burrow. But that's just a surmise.
AntónioGinjaGinja
" During the winter, adults burrow into the sand until they reach a moisture content of 2%; this may require them to dig up to 50 cm (20 in) deep.[4]" i copy these lines from the wikipedia link that is in this spot,so i thougth that digs where this that they made when burrow,i'll continue waiting for more notices from you about this detail,so i can confirm or not the ID.and thanks again for the concern Shebe
shebebusynow
So far the answer I've gotten is that the holes are all made by molluscs such as geoducks and clams. The sand fleas/hoppers just hop around in them, but don't do any real digging themselves.
AntónioGinjaGinja
@Noe and Pili thanks for one more ID @Shebe i acept Noe and Pili ID,whath your friends say?
Noe and Pili
Hi Antonio, I know this holes in the sand because I spent all my childhood in front of a beach :) We also call this animals sea flea and I think the species is Talitrus saltator
AntónioGinjaGinja
Uaw!i respond without ready your last coment,that would be very kind of you,thanks for the concern,i'll wait for your response,thanks again
AntónioGinjaGinja
@Thanks Shebe,i'll wait until we have a positive ID,for now stay's unknow:-)and good recovering of your tick episode,tick feever? @Emma i remark that to
shebebusynow
@ Antonio, now you've got me curious about those holes again. Maybe I'll ask down at the Marine Science Center--someone should know. I'll let you know if they have an answer that you could explore for your area.
shebebusynow
Thanks for your concern, Emma! So far, the tick doesn't seem to have imparted anything to me, though with every twinge I wonder... I will think twice before heading into long grass to photograph May flowers in future, though.
HemaShah
@ Shebe nice to see you! was a little worried about you after the tick episode. @ Antonio, Shebe's knowledge is just amazing!
shebebusynow
In the Pacific Northwest, particularly on Vancouver Island, holes like these when stepped on will spout water--they are the evidence of a geoduck down below. The water spurts as they move quickly downward. We also have sand fleas, and I see them hop from/around holes like this, but I am not sure that they make them.

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Signs of Wildlife
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Portugal's Biodiversity
Photographed
PublishedDecember 12, 2011

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