September 10, 2024

I am known as a Blue Land Crab

I reproduce based on the weather and moon

I start looking for a mate during the rainy season

And just before a full moon we spoon. 

Location: Jones' Pier Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cardisoma_guanhumi/

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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September 24, 2021

I am known as a Blue Land Crab, 

I'm the largest semi-terrestrial crab in Florida

You can see my eye stalks bob-bobbing along

As I walk sideways down the corridor.

(Note: This entry is dedicated to my family and friends in Boston who will think it rhymes perfectly.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: http://ourmarinespecies.com/c-crabs/why-do-crabs-walk-sideways/

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW013

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 21, 2018

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

This is a dead Blue Land Crab
We know he was on land when he died
The small snails on him are Hairy Wheel Snails,
They are pulmonate and need air to survive.

"Pulmonate" means that the snails have lungs
And don't live in the water.
There's also a live Mangrove Crab on
The other crab's back - he's a squatter.

(Make sure you click to enlarge this picture, there is a lot going on here. When I took this picture, I thought it was just a picture of a crab. When I downloaded it to my Mac, I realized that there was so much more going on, but I wasn't sure what exactly was happening. Extremely very special thanks to the amazing Heather Stapleton for explaining this picture to me.)

Sources: Interview, Heather Stapleton

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 20, 2018

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

I am known as a Blue Land Crab
I generally live within 3 miles of the sea.
Most crabs molt twenty times in their life -
I'm overachiever, for me, it's sixty!

Sources: Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory - Cardisoma guanhumi

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson