Image: Sand Crab Illustration
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.
- Illustrator:
- Andrew Howells
- Rights:
- © Australian Museum
- Common name:
- Sand Crab
- Scientific name:
- Ovalipes australiensis
Additional information
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.
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.
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.
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Tags illustration, wild, kids, sand, crab,