A ghost crab digging its burrow on a beach on Île aux Cerfs in Mauritius. Ghost crabs are semi-terrestrial crabs of the subfamily Ocypodinae

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Ghost crabs are semi-terrestrial crabs of the subfamily Ocypodinae. They are common shore crabs that are found in the intertidal zone and live in burrows. The name "ghost crab" derives from their nocturnality and their generally pale colouration. They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as sand crabs. Ghost crabs also have the ability to change colors to match their surroundings by adjusting the concentration and dispersal of pigments within their chromatophores.

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Size: 4853px × 3235px
Location: Île aux Cerfs, Mauritius
Photo credit: © Stephen Frost / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: aux, beach, burrow, camouflage, camouflaged, cerfs, chromatophores, crab, crustacean, ghost, grains, habitat, ile, intertidal, mauritius, ocypodinae, pale, sand, semi, shore, terrestrial, tropical, white, zone