Ghost crab on the sand

Ghost crabs get their name from how they seem to vanish into the sand — pale, sand-matched coloring and lightning-fast sideways sprints make them easy to lose track of the instant they stop moving. This one held still just long enough for a face-on portrait, stalked eyes fully extended.

Why it matters

Atlantic ghost crabs are largely nocturnal and spend the day in burrows dug well above the waterline, only fully submerging periodically to keep their gills moist — an unusual crab that’s more comfortable on dry sand than in the surf.

Getting the shot

Got down to sand level for a direct, eye-to-eye angle rather than shooting down at it. Ghost crabs are notoriously skittish, so this required staying still and low well before the crab emerged rather than trying to approach one already out and moving.