Atlantic Ghost Crab
Ocypode quadrata · Also known as: ghost crab, sand crab
Night sprinter of Ocean City and Assateague beaches. Pale crabs that vanish into burrows above the wrack line.
Quick facts
| Group | Beach crustacean |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★★ |
| Habitats | Ocean beach, Dunes, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- Square body, pale yellow-white to gray, stalked eyes, unequal claws.
- Fast sideways runs; burrow openings pepper the upper beach.
Biology notes
- NPS notes ghost crabs scavenging the beach at night for crustaceans, fish scraps, and other wrack.
- Mostly nocturnal; daytime animals hide in cool burrows.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Ocean City beach above the high-tide line after dusk—use a dim light.
- Assateague Island State Park and National Seashore ocean beaches.
When to look
- Warm nights spring–fall; scarce in cold winter sand.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Watch your step near burrows; avoid shining blinding lights into holes for long.
- Do not dig up burrows—crabs need them to survive heat and predators.
