Sand Box Crab (Calappa philargius)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Calappa philargius
- Common name
- Sand Box Crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Calappidae
- Genus
- Calappa
- Size
- 7–12 cm
- Depth
- 10–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sandy-bottom
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Calappa philargius reaches 12 cm. Box crab (Calappidae) from Atlantic tropics. Light brown-gray, robust claws. Preferred habitat: sandy zones 10-80 m. Coastal digger-nocturnal: buries in sand by day, emerges at night to hunt. Mollusks and small crustaceans = diet. Minimally threatened = LC. Rarely observed in recreational diving.
Photo of Sand Box Crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sand Box Crab?
- Sand Box Crab (Calappa philargius) reaches 7–12 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sand Box Crab?
- Sand Box Crab is found between 10–80 m deep.
- Is the Sand Box Crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Sand Box Crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Sand Box Crab?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Calappa
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 209500)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5730502)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia