BBC - Science & Nature - Sea Life - Fact files: Sand bubbler crab

This page was last updated in August 2010We've left it here for reference.More information

28 May 2012
Accessibility help
Text only

You are here: BBC > Science & Nature > Animals > Sea Life > Animal Facts

Sand bubbler crab
Scopimera inflata

The common name of this crab comes from the balls of sand it creates while feeding. Sand bubblers sieve detritus from the sand, regurgitating unwanted particles in the form of tiny balls deposited all over the beach.

Subspecies
There are various species of sand bubbler crab found from East Africa to Hawaii, including parts of Asia and Australia.

Distribution
This species is found in Australia.

Habitat
Sand bubbler crabs are found on sandy shores. They make a burrow in the sand and quickly return to this if alarmed.

Diet
They sieve small particles of detritus from the sand.

Behaviour
The sand bubbler crabs chomp out grooves in the sand, quickly sifting out detritus with their highly adapted mouthparts and leaving behind distinctive trails of neatly rolled up balls of sand. They spend a lot of time cleaning and maintaining their burrow. The burrow is used for safety, for example from aerial predators.

Conservation status
Not considered threatened.

Science Homepage | Nature Homepage
Wildlife Finder | Prehistoric Life | Human Body & Mind | Space
Go to top

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy

	BBC Homepage Science & Nature Homepage
In Animals: Planet Earth Birds Mammals UK wildlife Sea life Blue planet challenge Games Quick quizzes Animal facts Ocean info The Blue Planet TV series Screensaver Wildfacts Conservation Pets

	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!