horned ghost crab ocypode ceratophthalmus near its burrow pix sanjiv shukla

navigate by keyword : ocypode ceratophthalmus horned ghost crab horn eyed family ocypodidae subfamily ocypodinae horns eyes sand crabs decapoda decapods crustaceans eyestalks long points box shaped body carapace darker markings shape eye sheaths scavengers claws exoskeleton semi terrestrial run shore tropical deep burrows intertidal zone predators nocturnality pale coloration one claw larger stridulation elongated gills seawater waves water debris carrion generalists preying nocturnal swift runners colour change pigments great barrier reef environment communication system rubbing leg habitat indo pacific africa philippines

Horned ghost crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus) near its burrow (pix Sanjiv Shukla)

Horned ghost crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus), also known as horn-eyed ghost crab is a species of ghost crab. As their common name implies, O. ceratophthalmus possess eye-stalks extending beyond the eyes into long points, which are longer in adults, and shorter (or even absent) in juveniles. The crabs have a box-shaped body, 6 8 centimeters across the carapace, with darker markings towards the rear in the shape of an H. The outer edges of the eye-sheaths are also sharp and broadly triangular and distinctly pointing sideways in larger individuals. O. ceratophthalmus can run at speeds of up to 2.1 metres per second.