The fifth pair of legs of Sand Crabs is flattened to form swimming paddles. Sand Crabs are well known for their habit of nipping bathers' feet.
Common name: Sand Crab
Scientific name: Ovalipes australiensis
Photo: Dr I. Bennett
See if you can find out how Sand Crabs can disappear quickly.
Beach
Sand Crab
Sand Crabs are about 10 cm wide. They are light grey in colour. They have two red oval patches at the rear of their shell.
When Sand Crabs die bits of their external skeleton often wash up on the beach.
Sand Crabs live on ocean beaches of southern Australia.
Sand Crabs eat small fish, worms and dead animals. Sand Crabs will pick up or catch food in their front claws. They use their claws to bring food to their mouth.
Birds, fish, octopuses, stingrays, water rats and humans all eat Sand Crabs.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
