Mole Crab
Emerita talpoida
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
The little egg-shaped 'sand flea' that tumbles in the swash and vanishes backwards into wet sand.
- Typical size
- 0.4–1.5 in
- How often it turns up
- Very common
- Collecting
- Usually legal to collect
- Handling
- Photograph and release
Handle briefly and return to the swash; they are also common surf-fishing bait.
How to tell it apart
- Smooth egg-shaped body, no visible claws
- Feathery antennae when feeding
- Burrows backwards instantly
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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