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Galapagos Crabs

The Galapagos crabs have different stunning colors.

They are black or dark brown when young which is useful for camouflaging from its predators (shorebirds such as herons) on the black lava coasts of the Galapagos Islands.

Adult crabs are bright orange some with pink or yellow spots, they can grow up to 20 cm.

They are often seen in large numbers on each volcanic Island in Galapagos.


galapagos crabs The scientific name of these crabs is Grapsus Grapsus and the common name is Sally Lightfoot Crabs or also known as "Red Rock Crabs".

They have the incredible ability to walk on water, as they move or jump from rock to rock and can climb up vertical gradients.



The crabs in Galapagos are very charming especially for taking pictures and they often share their space with marine iguanas and sea lions.

You will find the most intensely colored crabs in the shores of Bartolome Island

The sally lightfoot crabs feed (as scavengers) on a variety of algae, fresh or dead animals.

The Galapagos crabs (Sally Lightfoot Crabs) are invertebrates that have five pairs of legs, the two in the front with the shape of two symmetrical pincers.

The other legs of the crab are large and kind of flat, touching the surface with only its tips.

Important Tip: When you get too close these crabs, they run away to safety behind rocks. So if you want to take a good close picture of them, you should remain motionless for some time, and the Galapagos crabs will come out from their hiding places and creep quite close to you.

Sally Lightfoot Crabs are usually very active and is quite an attraction to see them in their natural habitat.

The crabs have a flat rounded carapace from around 3 to 5 inches in length. They are flat and close to the ground and have the appearance of a spider because of its shape.

Crabs usually live in the lava rocks of the coast line in the turbulent and windy shore. It moves pretty fast and its agility makes it hard to catch. The fishermen use it as bait.

The crabs in the Galapagos Islands where also sighted by Charles Darwin during his voyage on HMS Beagle on 1835. Here's the history of Charles Darwin

These crabs can also be seen along the coasts of South and Central America and nearby islands.



Galapagos landscapes are surprisingly varied and beautiful. But it's the wildlife that will probably leave the most lasting impression, you will see a wide variety of animals such as:

Prehistoric-looking marine iguanas, penguins, brightly-colored Galapagos crabs, playful sea lions, albatrosses with its amazing courtship ceremonies, intriguing Darwin's finches, frigate, boobies with bright blue or red feet and more Galapagos animals including the most famous Galapagos tortoises well known for their extraordinary longevity.



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