Swift-footed Shore Crab

About

This swift moving and distinctive crab normally disapears quicky before you can even see it. This crab is often disticively purple and whilst colour variations do occur the pruple colour is more common.

The carapace features two notches behind the eye and eight or more ridges on the top sides, the legs are some what flattened with a spines near the joint. The claws commonly purple above and whit below.

During the day they are well hidden in the crevices coming out at night scurrying over rocks feeding one of the largest of the Australian shore crabs they move quickly and hold on tight in their hidding places making them hard to catch.

Size

Can grow to around 50mm across the carapace

Habitat

Can be found on rocky shores at mid to high levels levels in rock crevices and cracks or under rocks.

Distribution

Australian coasts including around Tasmania, also found in New Zealand

Gallery

Select any photo or video to view it large with its details and credits.

📷 David Paul 📷 Mollivan Jon 📷 Lek Khauv 📷 rberryman 📷 Stephen Thorpe 📷 Wild Roo Designs

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (3)

1. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
2. Museums Victoria Collections (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
3. WoRMS (2021). Leptograpsus variegatus (Fabricius, 1793). (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)