Ghost Crabs

Squeals and shrills fill the air as night sets on the Alabama Coast. You would think that someone had seen a ghost. Well in most cases they have seen ghosts, ghost crabs. They are sometimes called sand crabs and are often seen scurrying along the shoreline between sunset and dawn and are a blast to catch. Zooming at speeds up to 10 miles per hour these crabs know how to make tracks!. So gear up with a flashlight and a bucket and head to the beach after dark for a ghostly fun time. Fits of giggles and screams of delight are typically the result when trying to temporarily capture these ghosts. We do urge you to use a gentle hand when observing these amazing little creatures and to definitely use the catch and release system.

Ghost Crab Quick Facts:
• Two black eyes, with sharp 360° vision, help them capture flying insects.
• Ghost crabs cannot see directly up, so they burrow into the sand to prevent birds from catching them.
• Ghost crabs tunnel down for about four feet at a 45° angle, creating one- to two-inch wide holes.
• At dusk, these crabs sprint into the ocean to obtain oxygen from the water, which washes over their gills.
• Females release their eggs into the ocean around the month of June.
• Ghost crabs hibernate during the winter, "holding their breath" for six months by storing oxygen in sacs near their gills.


Next time you visit our beautiful beaches and would like a thrilling experience take a walk down on the beach at night. The ghost crabs will send chills down your spine and everyone will love watching one of these small wonders on our coast. We look forward to seeing you here real soon.