Large male terrestrial crab (Discoplax hirtipes) | Ngeremdiu Beach, Ngeruktabel Island, Palau

Malcolm was our cook during the kayak expedition. Here he is holding a large male land crab (Discoplax hirtipes) at our second campsite, which was at Ngeremdiu Beach. Malcolm told me that female crabs migrate from land to the water to release their brood at the turning of the high tide during full moon. We saw a few females releasing eggs here at Ngeremdiu Beach, and also at the next campsite on Ngchuus Beach. See separate photos of female crab releasing eggs, and of the resulting zoea.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: terrestrial-crab-discoplax-hirtipes-ngeremdiu-beach-ngeruktabel-island-palau-201102-414.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication without prior written permission
Image Size: 4752x3168 / 43.1MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Crustacean Terrestrial Crab Land Crab Animalia Arthropoda Crustacea Malacostraca Decapoda Gecarcinidae Discoplax hirtipes Male Pacific Philippine Sea Caroline Islands Palau Ngeruktabel Island Ngeremdiu Beach
Contained in galleries: Exploring Palau by Kayak, Marine Life | Palau, Palau

Malcolm was our cook during the kayak expedition. Here he is holding a large male land crab (Discoplax hirtipes) at our second campsite, which was at Ngeremdiu Beach. Malcolm told me that female crabs migrate from land to the water to release their brood at the turning of the high tide during full moon. We saw a few females releasing eggs here at Ngeremdiu Beach, and also at the next campsite on Ngchuus Beach. See separate photos of female crab releasing eggs, and of the resulting zoea.