Red-handed shore crab facts for kids

The red-handed shore crab (scientific name: Parasesarma erythrodactyla) is a cool burrowing crab. You can easily spot it by its bright red claws, called chelipeds, and its green or brown body, known as a carapace. These crabs love to live in mangrove forests.

Meet the Red-Handed Shore Crab!

This special crab, Parasesarma erythrodactyla, is known for its amazing bright red claws. Imagine seeing a crab with such colorful hands! Its body is usually a mix of green and brown, helping it blend in with its mangrove home.

Where Do They Live?

Red-handed shore crabs are found in warm, tropical, and subtropical places. You can mostly find them along the eastern coast of Australia. They also live in countries like Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, and India. Sometimes, they might even be found in southern Australia.

What Do They Eat?

These crabs are important clean-up crew members in their habitat! They mostly eat dead mangrove leaves that fall into the water. About 65% to 80% of their food comes from these leaves. They also munch on tiny plants called benthic microalgae, like diatoms, which make up about 20% to 35% of their diet.

How Scientists Study Crabs

Scientists group animals together to understand them better. Crabs like the red-handed shore crab belong to a family called Sesarmidae. Scientists are always learning new things about how these crabs are related to each other.

To help study animals, scientists keep special examples called "type specimens." A type specimen is like an official example of a species. For the red-handed shore crab, a type specimen is kept at the Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre. This helps scientists compare and identify other crabs.