Species profile
Atlantic Ghost Crab
Ocypode quadrata
Identify Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) is a crustacean present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 16,014 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can sprint at nearly 5 mph, making it one of the fastest crabs on any beach.
- Digs burrows up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) deep in beach sand.
- Can produce an audible rasping sound through stridulation — rubbing textured surfaces on its claws together.
- Ranges along Atlantic beaches from Rhode Island south to Brazil.
- Stalked eyes can rotate independently, giving nearly 360-degree vision.
Where Atlantic Ghost Crab are seen
Background
The Atlantic ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata, is a species of ghost crab, once described as an "occult, secretive alien from the ancient depths of the sea". It is a common species along the Atlantic coast of the United States, where it is the only species of ghost crab; its range of distribution extends from its northernmost reach on beaches in Westport, Massachusetts, south along the coasts of the…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic Ghost Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Atlantic Ghost Crab?
Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) is a crustacean present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
What is the scientific name for Atlantic Ghost Crab?
Atlantic Ghost Crab is Ocypode quadrata.
Are there fishing rules for Atlantic Ghost Crab?
Atlantic Ghost Crab does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Atlantic Ghost Crab?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Atlantic Ghost Crab along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.