Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata)
Photo: © 2004 Jeffrey Berger
"As we conclude our lecture, ladies and gentlemen, this fossilized specimen, estimated to be over 100,000 year old, bears an uncanny relationship to the modern crab. Yet, the question remains: Is this an example of evolution or intelligent design? What say you all?"
Click. Clack.
Clickity clack.
Click. Clack.
Clickity clack.
So say we all.
6 comments:
I have a lot of experience with land crabs,living as I do next to the mangroves. Every time there are floods, storm surges, etc. and their burrows flooded, they come out of the woods by the bazillions and dealing with them is frustrating. I think most insects are far more intelligent. They will allow their arms to be torn off rather than escape to safety or will climb 30 feet up screened pool enclosures and die of dehydration, fall and splatter on the pavement. they seem to have no survival instinct other than to dig in or to wave their claws - sort of reminds me of Republicans.
Capt. fogg, I too have had close encounters with land crabs. After hurricanes Frances and Jeannie trashed our beach, these critters crossed Highway A1A en masse and, with claws raised in attack mode, promptly crunched themselves under the tires of passing cars. There were flies everywhere feasting on roadside crab cakes.
Before electricity was restored to my sweltering house, I was forced to open doors and windows for ventilation. In due course, the land crabs invited themselves inside and found niches under and behind furniture. Typically, they entered without search warrants and sidestepped all questions.
Through the night, I heard them clicking and clacking everywhere and dreamt of “ragged claws scuttling the floors of silent seas.” By morning, I was too afraid to get out of bed in fear of having my toes pinched.
After a few days, however, I found them decidedly more civil and unshellfish compared with wingnuts. They vacated the house and returned to their burrows without incident. Overall, crabs are not bothered by humans as much as wingnuts are bothered by crabs.
Land crabs (Cardiosoma guanhumi) are now a protected species due to coastal development and habitat loss.
But the nuggest does not resemble the chicken, professor?
Frak!
The smell of a dead crab or thirty, hidden somewhere in the dirty
junk in one's garage.
I grow old. . .
Land crabs?! Not too sure I wanted to know they exist - I live in the south now & the size of the bugs is hard enough to get used to.
Nice pictures on your blog, by the way.
"The" modern crab??? Yeesh.
Then again, that does liik a lot like a deep-fried softshell. Mmmmm, deep-fried softshell crab sandwich with the legs hanging out of the bun and housemade tartar sauce. Wish I had one now. Now that's intelligent design!
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