Parts of Fort De Soto are now open.
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December 26, 2022
The ornate shell of a calico crab (or leopard crab) (Hepatus epheliticus)
Coquina Beach
Town of Bradenton Beach
Anna Maria Island
Gulf of Mexico
Florida - USA
Photo by brucetopher
© Bruce Christopher 2022
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...always learning - critiques welcome.
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The Calico Box Crab (hepatus epheliticus) is found in the western Atlantic ocean, from the Chesapeake bay to the warm waters of the Dominican Republic. Walking along the beach you will most likely discover the small crab buried in the sand displaying it's beautiful pattern that mimics the sand. You can identify the Calico Crab by their tan-brown body with reddish brown splotches on top. They fit into the category of decomposer of their community, they eat the remains of plants and animals found on the ocean floor along with plankton and invertebrates. Sea turtles, rays, and other fish are predators to the Calico Crab. They also have a mutualistic (+,+) relationship with sea anemones, the anemone provides protection from predators and the crab provides mobility to collect food and a home. I am pretty lucky to have come across this little guy on a cold windy day on Wrightsville Beach. (p.s. I named him Hermes. p.p.s he got safely back into the water)
Panacea, Florida, USA
• Calico crab / Dolly Varden crab
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Subphylum:Crustacea
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Decapoda
Infraorder:Brachyura
Family:Aethridae
Genus:Hepatus
Species:H. epheliticus
🔸 Press "L" for a better view
In the Gulf of Mexico Exhibit at the George F Crozier Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama.
A Calico Crab washed up on Barefoot Beach. This was a very aggressive crab
Calico Crab (Hepatus epheliticus) at Fort Desoto Park, Tierra Verde, Florida.
I only found a few Lady Crab/Calico Crab carapaces during the 2 October days I visited Plymouth Beach, in contrast to the large amount of Atlantic Rock Crab and Jonah Crab carapaces I found washed up on the shore. I'm guessing that's due to the habitat of the beach, which is a barrier beach.
Explore Aug 18 2009 #235
Things me and my daughter found at Ft DeSoto
Meet Sebastian the Calico Crab. He was basking in the shore on Sanibel when I made my visit last month. He was annoyed at this large creature of mostly water holding a Panasonic Lumix centimeters from his face to take his picture. He hates humans especially since he was fired from Disney for being an "old" crab. I told him that I loved his rendition of "Under the Sea" and he reluctantly agreed to allow his picture to be taken.
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© 2007 by Michael A. Pancier
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Unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited
A crab I found exploring the tidal flats at Skaket Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
