Atlantic Sand Crab
Emerita talpoida
A small burrowing crustacean of sandy Atlantic surf beaches, usually hidden just below the wet swash zone. It rapidly digs backward into loose sand, facing the waves while extending feathery antennae to filter plankton and organic particles from the wash. Its smooth, oval carapace helps it slip through sand and resist abrasion. Females are larger than males and may carry bright orange egg masses beneath the body.
- Type
- Burrow
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- ?
- Atlantic Sand Crab