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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Sesarmidae |
| Tree
climbing crab Episesarma sp. Family Sesarmidae updated Mar 09 Where seen? These crabs with flat, squarish bodies and flat pointed legs are common in many of our mangroves. Our mangrove trees are often full of crabs! Features: Body width 4-5cm. Body flat and squarish, legs flat with pointed tips. Pincers may be colourful. They have a net-like pattern on the sides of the body next to the mouth parts which help recirculate and oxygenate water in the gill chambers so that they can breathe air and stay out of the water for some time. Many are burrowers, digging holes at the base of mangrove trees and in mud lobster mounds. At high tide during the day, tree-climbing varieties are often seen clinging to tree trunks just above the water line. Here they remain motionless. They probably do this to avoid both aquatic predators in the water, as well as airborne predators such as birds. What does it eat? It eats mainly leaves, gathering these at night from the ground or by climbing up trees. These crabs have been observed as high as 6m up in trees. It may also scavenge any dead animals that it comes across. Human uses: The Teochew pickle these crabs in black sauce with vinegar and eat them with porridge. The Thais eat them salted with the roe or fried whole. They are considered pests in mangrove plantations because they attack mangrove seedlings. |
 Pasir Ris Park, Aug 09 |
Tree climbing crabs on Singapore shores
 Kranji Nature Trail, Dec 10 |
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 Pasir Ris Park, Dec 03  |
 Pasir Ris Park, Aug 09  |
 Pasir Ris Park, Aug 09  |
 Pasir Ris Park, Dec 03 |
 Pasir Ris Park, Dec 03 |
 Pasir Ris Park, Dec 03 |
more photos of tree climbing crabs on Singapore shores
northern shores part 1 | part 2
southern shores
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