Ghost Crab                                                    Ocypode sp.

Distribution: Galapágos Islands.

Habitat: Sandy beaches of fine volcanic rubble. The Ghost Crab tunnels down four feet into the ground at a 45 degree angle, creating 1-2 inch wide holes, which speckle the beach. At dusk, these crabs will sprint to the ocean in order to obtain oxygen from the water which washes over their gills.

Appearance:  Pale cream colored and elegant looking. The most distinctive feature of this ultra-fast little crustacean are his eyes which are at the end of a long retractable stalk.

Diet: Dead animals and debris they are also predators. If they can subdue it, they will eat it—including hatching sea turtles.

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