Ghost crabs

To the untrained eye, the strip of sand between crashing waves and undulating dune is simply that soft bare patch, perfect for sun-bathing or picnics. But to Linda Harris, it is an office. Here she stakes out holes in the sand, patiently waiting for their owners to head out on a foraging expedition. Her mission is to study the comical ghost crabs that make their home in the inter-tidal zone of South Africa’s shores. These resourceful little crustaceans must brave the harsh elements, howling winds, rising water levels and watching predators. Join us for a close up look at these delightful sideways scampering creatures that will have you chuckling at their cute and comical antics.

[@squiggy5763]

I feel like the french narrator from spongebob could narrate this.

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

Ghost krabs look like Mr krabs

[@jimbobaggans1564]

I heard that if a ghost crab pinches your finger you can stick your finger into the surf and they will let go. That is not true! They hang on, pinching your finger with both claws. They let go when their good and ready. Inflecting as much hurt as they can. I have even begged them to let go and I told him that I would never do it again. Nope. Still hung on. They will even move their claws back and forth to make it hurt more. You mess with them, they will mess with you right back. When he did let go I flipped him off and said it didn't hurt, but I lied. It hurt like crazy! They will make you bleed. You can hear them snickering as they run off to find their burrow.

[@Captain_Crabmeat]

Haha don't mess with my bois #crabgang

[@Titan52berg]

Good imagination! That was hilarious!

[@brookehayes3455]

Hm. Anytime we've caught ghost crabs they've never been bigger than a centimeter and they're claws are too small to pinch, do they get bigger? 🤔

[@crab2970]

sorry about my cousins!!!

[@tubbs2132]

@@brookehayes3455 They get up to half a foot on the Eastern Shore

[@nickt609]

7:12 excuse me im looking for a Libero to join my volleyball team if u are interested

[@TheFamilyguy421]

Cute little critters

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

- Sandy cheeks

[@shicrazy33]

9:45 why do I feel attacked at this part of the video? Yeah totally, the burrow, most definitely the burrow and not anything else.

[@ewanmcbride7540]

lol

[@dragonjames620]

cute Crabs are Cancer

[@jeorgevergara2547]

why not just call them "okipodies" instead of ghost crabs? fits them better

[@ziplocktheimpostor1402]

Early morning at the beach: the Crabs cleaning service team wakes up...back to work Eats every kinda food..... Me: aawwhh cute lill friends ❤️

[@ga_tronix]

When I was a kid I flood their burrows and watch them run out around the beach angry.

[@JacobAwsum]

Where's Tom Kenny? We need his French accent impression.

[@starbright5069]

I’m watching this as I’m sitting on the beach, waiting for one to pop out of its burrow so I can take pictures lol. They’re adorable.

[@bobmeewis]

Beautifully filmed and I really didnot know a thing about them. A pity I was only 1 day longer in St. Lucia to see them going. Unfortunatedly we had to go back to Europ the day after because of an accident. Succes with your further study of them. Do they occur in Europ too? And last thing: You can join the Olympic team, so far you can jump!

[@ruth112]

I saw two in Malta today. Unless its burrow was connected to two ends - which from the info in this clip it doesn't seem like it could be. If it was connected then he was popping up from two ends. I was fascinated I must say!

[@ewanmcbride7540]

the U shaped burrow probably

[@ewanmcbride7540]

Could also be a Y shaped burrow I guess

[@projects_privillidge_white7129]

I was in I was imprisoned and I was repenting of my sins reading the Bible and jamiah and I started scrubbing my hands and scouring my hands trying to make the same go away showering opposite of CD

[@jessiecator1740]

04:18 how is he so fast? lol

[@davidarnoldt4029]

WTF?

[@knockitoffsam]

Did she do all the stunts herself?

[@culturismoecuador2780]

HOW DO THE GHOST CRABS FIGHT?

[@EQOAnostalgia]

Totally down for a Ghost Crab survival game, LET'S GO!!!!

[@MiliFayArt]

Love this video!

[@projects_privillidge_white7129]

I like the way they tweaking and scurry.

[@ewanmcbride7540]

I have read all 60 comments, and am writing the 61st right now!

[@IpadLaser]

Umad

[@NoobGamer-nd2db]

WE FOUND MR.KRABS RED HANDED!

[@knockitoffsam]

What is all that shit on the beach?

[@bruv7521]

Fucking twitter

[@cassiecatcat]

Can you eat them?

[@Luis.mp4]

yes

[@Luis.mp4]

i think

[@thenamesaj8554]

Yeah you can

[@dexterobsioma9238]

Mr crab's

[@dbjoutdoors2128]

Ijust caught some🦀

[@projects_privillidge_white7129]

Yes

[@jacobeksor6088]

Did you eat those ghost crabs ?

[@FUZE_JUICe]

3:27 the crab is taking a video

[@Luis.mp4]

LOL

[@Titan52berg]

Fast little buggers....er, I mean, crabbers... aren't they?

[@papacheese59]

if you go to outer banks you don't have to look when you go early in the morning or at night I reccemend salvo

[@thepoorprince7547]

Ghost crabs eat tae in our place. LoL.. #Ph knOws NegrOsOcc here

[@sonor72]

Why am I here I have English homework to do tf

[@jenzar]

Why am I watching this?

[@patrickrash272]

ohno you shwodave don that wen i did i got pinched by a ghostcrabs

[@charliedallachie3539]

Yep, these are the guys I saw on the beach

[@spookythecrab]

Ah that’s cool I have one as a pet

[@mikeparaboschi5600]

Crustaceans freak me out

[@danielkennedy6477]

i found a baby ghost crab!

[@iiij33jiii28]

1:09 what if she was sat on top of them

[@buiphan3882]

U can COME in 2 cave PEOPLE???

[@undertaker9991]

Well i got me some dinner.

[@jakedonnelly5444]

I saw one it was yellow

[@ericwood3709]

I am in love.

[@annahatley4515]

Hello, I am a student and was wondering if you would be comfortable sharing the rights to this video for a video on Animal Behavior for my lab? I look forward to hearing from you.

[@5050Channel]

Hi Anna, I will send your question to our producers and will revert shortly. Kind regards, 50|50 team

[@5050Channel]

Hi Anna, Unfortunately not. . The rights belong to SABC and it may not be used without the SABC’s permission. Kind regards,50|50 Team

[@annahatley4515]

Thank you so much for checking ! All the best, Anna

[@culturismoecuador2780]

HELLO ANNA I AM A EXPERT IN CRABS FROM ECUADOR, CAN I HELP YOU WITH SOMETHING??

[@LoveNatureforabettertomorrow]

@Anna Hatley please let me know if you still need a similar video. I can send you one.

[@nekoii22]

Those taste really good!!

[@Luis.mp4]

hey do you know where my pet ghost crab went...

[@franktheo2055]

That's so cool ! I see those ghost crabs all over the NYC beaches where I surf fish for bass & bluefish. Those ghost crabs can see you coming for over 50 feet from their burrows and they're fast and evasive. I've ran a few down and captured and released them. I caught one and released it and the crab ran into the wrong burrow and the other crab living down there cased him out, that was one confused crab he's lucky that I wasn't a hungry seagull - LOL ! I also found out the hard way that they pack a hard bite they're as strong as a bulldoze and they have to be in order to dig almost 3 feet deep into the sand where they make their homes. Fascinating Elusive Beach Dwellers Are The Ghost Crab's..

[@kgfairgo5559]

And we actually pay scientists to do these things? Bigger crabs make bigger burrows....duh