Burrowing Shore Crab

Leptograpsodes octodentatus

Sea Life Endemic IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

The carapace of this crab is oval shaped and features a single notch behind the eye. The colour varies from mottled greens and browns to a purple colour morph.

This crab is a bit different to most shore crabs and can be found on land some distance from the coast and nearly into fresh water. They live in burrows they build for shelter coming out at night to feed at the waters edge

Size

Can grow up to around 60mm across the carapace

Habitat

Exposed rocky shores to rivers edges above the high tide mark feeding from the mid to high tide levels

Distribution

Southern Australian coasts including around Tasmania

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (3)
  1. Taylor, J. & Poore, G.C.B., 2011, Burrowing Shore Crab, Leptograpsodes octodentatus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
  2. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
  3. WoRMS (2021). Leptograpsodes octodentatus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837). (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)

Header image: CC BY 4.0 © Thomas Nataprawira

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.