Heaps of Mole Crabs

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Think you know most of the critters of our area? You might not recognize these weird creatures.

Thursday, masses of mole crabs were seen on Mad River Beach. These tiny beasts (Sometimes mistakenly called sand fleas) were photographed in the thousands.
mole crabs kelly

Their molted shells can be seen, too.

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Below is a video of a stampede of mole crabs rushing across the same beach in 2014.

Photos and video by M. Sid Kelly, a local fish biologist and author. Check out his SciFi books here as well as his non-fiction book, Tigerfish!

If you’ve got a nature photo or video to share, send it to [email protected].

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al laguna
Guest
8 years ago

this great! Nature at its finest ! Beautiful!! National geographic should film this ! Thanks for sharing!

J
Guest
J
8 years ago

Anyone older than 5 knows what a sand crab is

V man
Guest
V man
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

We saw them on moonstone beach the other day. Been going there for 30 years, never seen them like that. I have dug up the occasional sand crab, and used for bait to catch perch, but these were smaller and way plentiful. Maybe all babies hatching like the sea turtles do??

Zoltanwelvart
Guest
8 years ago

I caught them at Huntington Beach.lots.such things show an algae I can’t see.also lots of herring in bay.3″ long.

Debra Carey
Guest
Debra Carey
8 years ago

never seen this….Been here A LONGTIME….Wild..