sand crab
Shore-dwelling crustacean
A sand crab is any of various crabs that live in sandy coastal areas, burrowing into beaches as waves wash over them.
The term most often refers to small, oval-shaped crabs of the genus *Emerita* (also called mole crabs), which filter-feed in the surf zone: We dug for sand crabs to use as bait.
The name applies loosely to other shore-dwelling crabs as well.
External skeletal structure
- decapodTen-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
claws · pincers · molting · gills · arthropod · segmented · aquatic · eyestalks
Land-water boundary
waves · tidepools · shells · sandcastles · footprints · saltwater · beachcomber · driftwood
Sink intentionally; hurried shuffle
- sidewaysToward one side
- scurryHurried small-stepped motion
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- dartHandheld pointed projectile
skitter · zigzag · flee · evade · escape · speed · sprint · lateral
Gradual retreat seaward
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- high tideMaximum sea level
- low tideSea at minimum level
- tide poolsSeawater pockets in rocks
surf zone · littoral · wave action · coastal · marine · saltwater · foreshore · wash
Unearth by shoveling
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- excavateRemove earth systematically
- holeAbsence in matter
- denPrivate room or lair
nest · shelter · hideaway · underground · subterranean · retreat · inhabit · dwell
Combine into mixture
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- crypticObscure in meaning
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
matching · background · hide · invisible · survival · adaptive · stealth · ambush
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- decapodTen-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
antennae · claws · pincers · molting · gills · arthropod · segmented · aquatic · eyestalks · appendages
shoreline
Land-water boundary
surf · waves · tidepools · shells · sandcastles · footprints · saltwater · beachcomber · driftwood · seagulls
scuttle
Sink intentionally; hurried shuffle
dart · skitter · zigzag · flee · evade · escape · speed · sprint · lateral · quick
ebb
Gradual retreat seaward
tide pools · surf zone · littoral · wave action · coastal · marine · saltwater · foreshore · wash · foam
dig
Unearth by shoveling
den · nest · shelter · hideaway · underground · subterranean · retreat · inhabit · dwell · settle
blend
Combine into mixture
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- crypticObscure in meaning
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
disguise · matching · background · hide · invisible · survival · adaptive · stealth · ambush · buried