Pictured is a species of ghost crab, most likely the horned ghost crab Known as…

NOV 21 2025 · 19:00

Pictured is a species of ghost crab, most likely the horned ghost crab 👻🦀 Known as “Loulou” in Creole, ghost crabs are a familiar sight darting across island beaches 🏝️ The horned ghost crab gets its name from the little “horns” on its eyestalks, which only appear as they grow older Ghost crabs are crucial for the health of coastal ecosystems. They are opportunistic scavengers and important beach cleaners, eating everything from plant material to marine debris, and even turtle hatchlings 🌿 They are ecological indicators of human disturbance, meaning that presence (or absence) of these crabs tells us a lot about how much human disturbance a beach has experienced. They’re also a vital link in the food chain, making them essential for the bigger picture of island’s ecology 🤍⛓️ Next time you spot their tiny tracks, remember you’re looking at one of the beach’s hardest workers 💪🏼 📸Photo provided by Allen Gervais Commettant