Ghost crab

Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata)
The common crab of the beach, Ghost Crabs are familiar to any beach-goer. Very active predators, they quickly disappear down the nearest hole when approached.
Dare Co., NC 11/3/05.

The ghost crab is sometimes called the sand crab.
These crabs tunnel up to four feet into the sand at a 45° angle, creating 1 to 2 inch-wide holes, which speckle the beach.

Ghost Crab
Groundhog
Marmota monax (scientific)
Groundhogs live in fields, farmland, suburban parks and any open space that has protection for their dens. They can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States.

Ghost Crab
Ghost Crab Illustration
Giant Barred Frog
Giant Barred Frog, Mixophyes fasciolatus
Giant Beach Worm Illustration
Giant Burrowing Frog
Giant Burrowing Frog, Heleioporus australiacus
Giant Centipede
Giant Centipede Specimen ...

Nests are often lost to predators such as raccoons, dogs, ghost crabs, sea birds and ants as well as to shoreline erosion and human predation. Hatchlings are preyed upon by mammals, sea birds, crabs and carnivorous fishes.

Raccoons, foxes, dogs, seabirds, and ghost crabs prey upon turtle eggs. Young sea turtles are eaten by seabirds, crabs, and carnivorous fish. Adults may be eaten by tiger sharks.

Ghost crabs prey upon hatchlings, but estimates of losses to crabs do not exceed 5%.

The eggs are eaten by ghost crabs, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and dogs. Hatchlings are preyed upon by mammals, sea birds, crabs, and carnivorous fishes.

Predators with a taste for turtle eggs include raccoons, ghost crabs, dogs, wild hogs and humans. Birds, commonly thought to be major predators, are little or no threat to the nest. Storm tides, rain and even plant roots can destroy the nest.

gulls (Larus)
ghost crabs (Ocypode)
tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier)
requiem sharks (Carcharhinus)
groupers (Epinephelus)
estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)
common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) ...

See also: Shark, Turtle, Shell, Jellyfish, Sea Turtle