Fiddler crab
Uca spp
Uca species, known as fiddler crabs, are small coastal crabs that usually grow to about 2–5 cm across.
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About this species
Species identity
Uca species, known as fiddler crabs, are small coastal crabs that usually grow to about 2–5 cm across. They live on muddy or sandy shores, often in mangroves and tidal flats. Males have one very large claw, which they wave to communicate and attract mates.
Where it lives
Uca species are found in warm and temperate coastal regions around the world. They are common in shallow areas like estuaries, mudflats, and mangrove forests.
They live in burrows in the sand or mud, which they dig themselves.
These crabs are most active during low tide, when they come out to feed on the surface.
Role in the ecosystem
Fiddler crab helps explain how marine food webs function through its ecological role, habitat use, and connection to broader ecosystem change.
Scientific reference
Ocean Literacy Connections
This resource can be explored through Ocean biodiversity.
- How do ocean habitats support so many forms of life and interaction?
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