Rock crab, Zagaya
August 3, 2022
Science name: Grapsus grapsus
A swift, little crab with a flattened body and sharp claws on the ends of its legs to help it hold on as it dashes over the rocks. Difficult to approach, the crab will retreat to a rock crevice at the first sign of movement. Its dark speckled body is well camouflaged against the wet rocks. It is often used as bait by shore fishermen. Sometimes one may come across a discarded rock crab moult of a reddish hue. When crabs moult the skeleton splits around the edge of the body from the rear and the animal crawls out backwards.
Photo credit: Jonathan Gomez
