Ocellate Lady Crab
ExplorarAnimal
Ocellate Lady Crab
ovalipes ocellatus
The Ocellate Lady Crab, also known as the calico crab, is a vibrant and fiercely aggressive swimming crab native to the Atlantic coast of North America. Renowned for its striking, leopard-like spotted shell, it is a fascinating coastal inhabitant that blends beauty with a feisty temperament. These crabs are adept swimmers and rapid burrowers, perfectly adapted to the dynamic environment of the surf zone. Though small, they are bold predators and scavengers that play a crucial role in coastal food webs, serving as a primary food source for larger fish and sea turtles while keeping the shoreline clean of carrion. Their fiery disposition and beautiful markings make them a memorable find for beachgoers and marine enthusiasts alike.
Hábitat: Found in sandy bottoms of shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and active surf zones where they can easily burrow into the substrate.
Aspecto
This species is easily identified by its broad, yellowish-gray to sandy-colored carapace, which is densely patterned with striking reddish-purple or purplish-brown ringed spots called ocelli. The carapace features five sharp anterolateral teeth on each side of the eyes. Its last pair of legs are distinctly flattened and modified into oval, paddle-like appendages for swimming. They possess powerful, sharp claws that are often tipped in white or pale yellow, and their eyestalks are prominent, allowing them to see while mostly buried in the sand.
ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseMalacostracaOrdenDecapodaFamiliaGeryonidaeGéneroOvalipes
Categoría
AnimalRareza
Common
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Snaps
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Datos interesantes
Despite their aggressive pinching, they are a vital food source for the critically endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle.
Their scientific name 'ocellatus' means 'little eyes' in Latin, referring to the eye-like purple spots covering their shell.
They are notoriously aggressive and have earned the nickname 'calico crab' due to their beautiful but deceivingly fierce nature.
When threatened, a Lady Crab will rapidly dig backward into the sand until only its eyestalks are visible.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Backward Burrowing
It can rapidly bury itself backward into the sand using its modified hind legs, leaving only its eyes and antennae exposed to ambush prey and hide from predators.
Habilidad
Paddle Swimming
The hindmost pair of legs are flattened into wide paddles, allowing the crab to swim swiftly and gracefully through the water column.
Habilidad
Aggressive Defense
Known for its highly combative nature, it will aggressively strike out with sharp, powerful claws when threatened rather than retreating.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 4-9 cm
- Peso
- 0.05-0.15 kg
- Esperanza de vida
- 1-3 años
- Tamaño de la puesta
- 50000-95000
- Incubación
- 10-20 días
Dieta y alimentación
An opportunistic predator and scavenger that feeds on benthic invertebrates, small fish, and carrion found along the sandy sea floor.
Diferencias por edad: Larvae are planktivorous filter feeders, while juveniles and adults are active benthic predators and scavengers.
Alimentos principales
- Bivalves
- Polychaete worms
- Small crustaceans
- Carrion
- Small fish
Método de búsqueda
- Ambush
Conexiones ecológicas
eaten by
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys kempii
Important prey source for endangered sea turtles.
hunts
Atlantic Surfclam
Spisula solidissima
Predates on common sandy shore bivalves.
eaten by
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Hunted by large predatory coastal fish.
hunts
Atlantic Sand Crab
Emerita talpoida
Hunts small crustaceans in the surf zone.
Rasgos
Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.
También conocido como
Todavía no hay alias listados.
Colecciones
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Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Ocellate Lady Crab?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Ocellate Lady Crab es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Ocellate Lady Crab?
4-9 cm
¿Cuál es el peso de Ocellate Lady Crab?
0.05-0.15 kg
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Ocellate Lady Crab?
1-3 años
¿Qué come Ocellate Lady Crab?
An opportunistic predator and scavenger that feeds on benthic invertebrates, small fish, and carrion found along the sandy sea floor.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Ocellate Lady Crab?
Found in sandy bottoms of shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and active surf zones where they can easily burrow into the substrate.
¿Cómo caza Ocellate Lady Crab?
Ambush
¿Cuál es el tamaño de la puesta de Ocellate Lady Crab?
50000-95000
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