Habitat ³

Habitat: High intertidal zone of wide, fine sandy beaches on the open coast, usually near decaying seaweed. Especially common on beaches backed by dunes.

Biology ⁴

Biology/Natural History: This common species hides in burrows in the sand during the day, then comes out to feed on decaying seaweed at night. They often may move down near the water line to feed but return to burrows the higher beach afterward. They will drown if kept submerged in seawater. Males may fight over burrows near dawn in summer (less in winter), and have a plug of sand at the entrance. The burrows are up to 30 cm deep.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Ingrid Taylar, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503118795@N01/3661655743
2. (c) Ingrid Taylar, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/taylar/3662455432/
3. (c) Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/10455951
4. (c) Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/10455950

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• SeaLifeBase
• World Register of Marine Species

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