General Description

Body yellow-brown with darker red patches. Carapace has two notches on the side behind the eye. Up to 4 cm wide (carapace).

Biology

The Mottled Shore Crab is a gregarious species, often forming groups. They usually shelter under rocks and wood but also burrow, and are very rarely found in the open. If exposed by their shelter being moved, they will scuttle into shelter again as quickly as possible. This species is one of three species of similar shore crabs in the same genus that differ in colouration, the arrangement of notches along the carapace margin, and the hairiness of the legs.

Distribution

South-eastern Australia.

Habitat

Under rocks on sheltered coasts or in burrows on mudflats.

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