The globe crab (Randallia ornata) is no ordinary crab. Its bulbous shell and stylish color pattern shouts, “I’m different and proud of it!” You might think with a name like globe that this crab really gets around…travels the ocean world so to speak…a real globe trotter. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. While the ocean… [read more]
A decorator crab’s crown of leaves
It’s a bit hard to tell, but that’s a decorator crab in the center of the photo sitting amongst the blades of grass. But that’s the whole point! To be a master of disguise and trick ocean predators into thinking you’re just another part of the landscape. Nothing to see here folks. If there was… [read more]
Easy crab, watch those elbows!
One of the most common phrases I heard growing up was, “No elbows on the table!” Well, this crab would have been in big trouble at my family’s dinner table…the sandflat elbow crab or Heterocrypta occidentalis. As you can see from the photo, this crab has disproportionately large claws ending in tiny pincers, making it… [read more]