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Fiddler Crab


Fiddler Crab
Photo Information
Copyright: Jim White (jmirah) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 5 N: 901] (3574)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-11
Categories: Crustacia
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-12 6:57
Viewed: 1036
Points: 2
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Fiddler Crab

There are 97 species of Fiddler Crabs worldwide. The male of the species exhibits a large claw or cheliped which is used in courtship. When moving it's smaller claw back and forth to it's mouth during feeding it seems to be playing a fiddle(violin), thus the name "Fiddler Crab". When most species of Fiddler Crab lose the larger claw the smaller one will grow bigger while a smaller claw will grow to replace the lost one. Related to the Ghost Crab, the Fiddler can reach a diameter of 1-2 inches(2-4.5 cm) and can be one of a multitude of colors. Fiddler Crabs rarely live to be more than two years of age. Prefering a muddy or sandy invironment, the Fiddler lives in burrows that can be up to 23 inches(60 cm) deep. It feeds by sifting through sand, mud and debris, removing anything edible with it's mouth and forming it into a tiny ball that is placed at the entrance to the burrow for later consumption. The male waves it's large claw in the air and beats it on the ground during courtship. Fights are common during this ritual. The female carries the eggs on her underside and remains in the burrow for the two week gestation period before venturing into the water to release them into the out going tide. There the larvae will remain planktonic for an additional two weeks.

Here a male Fiddler Crab hides in a clump of seaweed washed up on the shore of Galveston Bay.

Source: Wikipedia
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To angybone: Thanksjmirah 1 05-12 22:23
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Critiques [Translate]

You made this little guy look big! Very cool!
Interesting photo. Great detail on a very small model. :)

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